Randy Hanson grew up in Seattle, just south of Sea-Tac Airport and played in the Highline Soccer Association, at Tyee High School, the University of Washington and “flirted” with a professional career playing for FC Seattle in the American Professional Soccer League (APSL) and the reserve team for the Tacoma Stars. He started his coaching career at the age of 16 working in local soccer camps, progressing to coach at the high, club, college and youth National Team levels. Randy has had roles as a youth club coach and director in Puyallup, Seattle, Bellevue and Preston since 1990. He has his USSF “A” License.
Randy is currently on the United States Women's National Team staff, where he has held various roles. He is currently a Scout for the full National team, where he scouted opposition internationally before and during 2014 World Cup (Canada) and 2016 World Cup (Papua New Guinea) and 2018 World Cup (France). He also did opponent scouting in the USA, Germany, Spain, Canada, Israel, Honduras, Australia, Papua New Guinea and China as well as CONCACAF leading up to the 2019 World Cup. Randy was also an Assistant Coach for U.S. Soccer (2014-present) with the U20 WNT, as well as a player identification scout for U15-U20 Women’s National Teams.
Randy's collegiate career spanned 20 years at the University of Puget Sound, earning an overall record of 303-74-36. In that time, his UPS teams garnered 15 Northwest Conference Championships (14 consecutive). Randy also earned several coaching honors, including 12-time Northwest Conference Coach of the Year and 6-Time West Region Coach of the Year. UPS competed in their only national championship in 2004. With 20 years of success, Randy was inducted into University of Puget Sound Athletics Hall of Fame 2016.
Randy also was an assistant coach with the Seattle Sounders Women (W-League) (2006-2009, 2012). The 2012 roster included Women’s National Team members Hope Solo, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Sydney Leroux, Stephanie Cox and Keelan Winters. Randy also was the Washington Program Director of the Manchester United Soccer Schools from 2005-2006.
Randy and his wife Sally will be celebrating their 26th wedding anniversary in 2020 and they are both proud parents of their son Cy who is a freshman at the University of Washington. He appreciates watching local Seattle professional teams as well as those around the world. He has become a late supporter of Manchester United since working at their soccer schools and is a proud supporter of both our Women’s and Men’s US National Teams.
