Rhianna Krutz has been officially named a full-time assistant UIC women’s soccer coach, as of February 25th 2025, after serving as the volunteer assistant during the 2024 season. Prior to coming to UIC, Krutz, previously worked with several Division I programs.
"We are happy to welcome Rhi to our program and UIC Athletics full time," said Head Coach David Nikolic. "She was with us in the fall as a volunteer and fit our staff and team from the start. I have been fortunate enough to have known her as a player and as a camp coach working for me at a former institution and she is organized, passionate, hardworking and great eye in the recruiting world. Rhi has worked with some great coaches in the past and brings knowledge on all aspects to UIC Women's Soccer. She will assist in all areas directly involved with improving our current team and teams of the future."
During the 2024 season as a volunteer assistant, Krutz helped Nikolic lead the program to an 8-10-2 overall record. The 2024 season saw the women's soccer team make their second consecutive appearance in the MVC Championship semifinal match, and the fourth in the program's history. The 2024 season also saw the Flames match their best-ever regular-season conference finish, coming in 2nd, as well as the programs second-most conference wins and point total (6 wins/20 points).
Prior to coming to UIC, Krutz's was at the University of the Pacific, but before that, she spent four seasons at her alma mater and MVC member, Illinois State. She joined the Redbirds in 2019, helping guide the program to a 14-6 record that year. At Illinois State, she focused on the forward line and team defense while playing a key role in recruiting.
Prior to Illinois State, Krutz spent the 2018 season at Valparaiso, another MVC team. She began her college coaching career at Dayton, where she served as the director of operations during the 2017 season.
Krutz brings significant MVC experience to the Flames program, having been a five-year member of the Illinois State women's soccer team (2012-16). During her time with the Redbirds, she was part of three MVC regular-season championship squads and four MVC Tournament title-winning teams. Notably, in 2013, she started the final nine games as Illinois State captured both the regular-season and tournament titles, advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament—one of two such trips she made with the Redbirds.
Krutz currently holds a United States Soccer Federation "D" License and is working towards a “C” License.
A native of Des Plaines, Ill., Krutz earned her bachelor’s degree in applied science and technology from Illinois State in 2016.
