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Mike Moynihan said he wasn't looking for a new job.
But Northwestern University officials were actively seeking a new coach for their women's soccer program, and they found their man.
Moynihan, who led the UW-Milwaukee women's team to nine NCAA tournament appearances in 15 seasons, was named Northwestern's coach Wednesday.
He will be asked to reinvigorate a Wildcats team that finished 2-16-1, including 1-9-1 in Big Ten play. Northwestern's only victories came against Loyola and Michigan.
"I wasn't necessarily looking, but I thought it would be worth checking out," Moynihan said Wednesday after both schools announced the move. "From there it went pretty quickly.
"They definitely have a vision for the program being among the elite programs in the country. It's lofty, but I think it's possible."
A source said Moynihan received a multiyear deal after posting a 193-84-38 record with the Panthers.
UWM officials confirmed that associate head coach David Nikolic would join Moynihan at Northwestern. Nikolic was part of the Panthers program for the past 18 years.
"David and I have been together a long time and we've grown together, professionally and personally," Moynihan said. "A big part of it is it's a new challenge."
Moynihan said he told his UWM players of his departure in a Monday afternoon meeting that lasted about an hour and a half.
It was a daunting task for Moynihan, who was with the Panthers program for 19 years after first serving as an assistant coach under his sister, Susan. And the Panthers recently renamed their field the Laura Moynihan Field at Engelmann Stadium in honor of Moynihan's mother, who also served as UWM's head coach.
"It's been brutal," Moynihan said of leaving his UWM players. "Separation is incredibly difficult. I can't say enough about the maturity our players have shown.
"It (the meeting) was continual tears; it was emotional for everybody. I knew what I had to say, but it was very difficult."
Moynihan leaves after leading UWM to a 19-3 record and a second-round appearance in the NCAA tournament. The Panthers broke through to get their first NCAA tourney win, a 3-0 decision over Illinois State at Engelmann.
Senior forward Sarah Hagen finished second nationally among Division I players with 26 goals and 61 points and was named to Soccer America's MVP first team. The Panthers finished ranked No. 23 by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
"It was a fantastic year, a fantastic senior group," Moynihan said. "I know they will continue on very strong."
UWM won the last 12 Horizon League regular-season titles and posted a 77-4-3 record during that span. The Panthers also won eight league tournament titles under Moynihan.
The new Northwestern coach is no stranger to the Big Ten after aggressively scheduling Big Ten schools during his time at UWM. Moynihan said the Panthers played every school except Penn State.
"It will be a whole different landscape for recruiting," Moynihan said of Northwestern. "It's a school with not just a national reputation but a world reputation.
"I was honored they showed the interest they did, and the energy they showed for women's soccer was incredible."
Moynihan said his official starting date at Northwestern will be Monday.
UWM director of athletics Rick Costello said a national search will begin immediately for Moynihan's replacement.
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