Having guided the Auburn soccer program to unprecedented heights over the last decade, Karen Hoppa was rewarded with an extension to her contract to keep it at the original five-year length through the 2013 school year.

“I am delighted to announce a contract extension for Coach Karen Hoppa. Karen is an outstanding role model for our student-athletes who exemplifies the character and integrity that Auburn people value,” Auburn athletics director Jay Jacobs said. “She is exactly the kind of coach that I would want my daughters to play for, because not only does she win, she looks at character and academic potential first in her recruits. We’re all very proud of Karen for consistently competing at the highest level in the Southeastern Conference and for advancing to NCAA post-season play.”

“I am honored that my contract at Auburn has been extended through 2013,” Hoppa said. “I want to thank Jay and Meredith (Jenkins, Auburn SWA) and the entire Auburn family for all their support during my first ten years here. Auburn is an incredible place to live and work, and I look forward to leading our soccer program to new heights during the next five years.”

Hoppa, who is 115-76-16 (.594) in 10 seasons at Auburn, has guided the program to six SEC West titles, an overall SEC title in 2002 and seven NCAA appearances. She has also seen her players receive a total of 11 All-America honors, has coached 10 All-SEC First Team selections, 10 All-SEC Second Team selections, a pair of SEC Players of the Year and two SEC Freshman of the Year honorees.

There have also been 31 All-Region honors handed out to Auburn players during Hoppa’s tenure.

Hoppa’s teams continually achieve great success in the classroom as well, as the Tigers have earned 88 spots on the SEC Academic Honor Roll while players Jenn Johnson (2007 & 2008) and Erin Henson have both been named to the prestigious CoSIDA Academic All-America second team.

The second-longest tenured and winningest coach in the SEC West during her 10-year tenure, Hoppa has guided the program to eight 10-win seasons and an astounding 30-6-4 (.800) mark against Western Division teams, and is the only SEC West coach to have won an overall SEC Title.