Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story contained incorrect info.

Souli Phongsavath, one of the winningest girls soccer coaches in state history, is done coaching at the high school level.

Phongsavath, who’s coached both the Davis High girls and boys soccer teams for more than a decade, said he told school administration around Halloween that he was retiring from coaching both teams. Both coaching positions were posted to the district website on Monday.

It’s a stunning move during a fall sports offseason that’s already seen several Northern Utah coaching positions vacated, whether those were held by successful coaches, longtime coaches or others.

According to the UHSAA record book, Phongsavath accumulated 270 wins during his decade-plus as Davis’ girls soccer coach, along with five state championships and 12 region titles.

The Darts have become one of the top girls soccer programs in the state and are a consistent winner and/or contender for both region and state championships.

They won a state-record 45 straight matches between Oct. 14, 2014, and Aug. 8, 2017, during which time the Darts became one of just five teams in state history to win three straight state titles.

Davis High individual and team records are all over the state record book, stemming mostly from the three-year title run.

Mikayla Cluff (neé Colohan) has the single-season assist record with 35. Olivia Wade-Katoa had a six-goal game in 2015, tied for third on the single-game scoring record list.

“It’s been a privilege and an honor to be part of the program at Davis High School and help build it into what it is now. The kids and the community are fantastic. I’ll miss doing that and being with them, but like I said, it’s time,” Phongsavath said.

His 270-win total is good for second most all-time behind former Alta coach Lee Mitchell’s 414 wins. On the boys side, the Darts won two state titles and six region titles.

Between coaching the girls in the fall, the boys in the spring and coaching club girls soccer on the side, Phongsavath called it a “grind” that he wants to step away from.

“That’s why I think the program could have a nice fresh face that’ll hopefully not just build on the stuff that we did but bring in some new energy and some new life and new ideas and things like that,” he said.

Phongsavath, a history teacher, said he was likely going to stop coaching at Davis High after the 2024-25 school year. Significant off-the-field strife moved that timeline up a year.

Amid a 16-1 season that saw the Darts win Region 1 and advance to the state quarterfinals, Phongsavath fielded complaints from parents about their daughters’ playing time on the team, which eventually resulted in a school investigation that yielded unknown results.

“I’ve always known I was never going to be a lifer in this — I always coached because I taught, type of thing. Then you get into it, it’s hard to get out. It’s not like I didn’t enjoy it; it’s been great. It’s been an honor to do it and to be a part of this program and build it and that type of stuff,” Phongsavath said.

Phongsavath’s departure makes two open girls soccer head coaching spots in Region 1, along with Weber High, after the departure of Lei Anne Price as head coach. Additionally, the Bonneville High girls soccer coaching position is open, while new school West Field is expected to announce a hire soon.

Connect with reporter Patrick Carr via email at pcarr@standard.net, Twitter @patrickcarr_ and Instagram @standardexaminersports.

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