University of Richmond Athletics
Staff Directory
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- Phone:
- 804-287-6013
Adam Denton was named the third head coach in Richmond women's soccer history in December 2022 following six seasons at the helm of Davidson College. He enters his fourth season leading the Spiders in 2026.
In his third year at Richmond, Denton guided the Spiders to a 4-7-7 overall mark and a 1-5-4 record in Atlantic 10 play during the 2025 season. Richmond opened the fall with a 5-0 win over VMI, the most goals in a season opener in program history and the program's first 5-0 win since Sept. 11, 2019, at Hampton., and earned results in three of its first four matches. Under Denton’s leadership, the Spiders ranked second in the Atlantic 10 in save percentage (.841) and sixth in shutout percentage while producing six clean sheets across the season.
The 2025 campaign also featured significant individual development, highlighted by four Atlantic 10 weekly award winners. Emma Newman earned A-10 Rookie of the Week on Aug. 18 after tying the program’s single-game record with four goals in her collegiate debut. Morgane Zinn was named A-10 Rookie of the Week on Aug. 25 after scoring the decisive goal at Wofford and posting two shots on frame across two victories. Julia Lishia earned A-10 Co-Rookie of the Week honors on Sept. 2 following her second collegiate assist in the draw at Howard. Goalkeeper Veronica Rrapi also earned A-10 weekly recognition for her performances anchoring one of the conference’s top defensive units.
Denton coached Newman to Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team honors, making her Richmond’s first All-Rookie selection since 2016 and the program’s first all-conference honoree of any kind since 2019.
In his second year in 2024, Denton led Richmond to a 4-10-3 overall record and a 2-7-1 mark in Atlantic 10 play. The Spiders opened the year unbeaten through their first three matches (2-0-1), marking the program’s best start since 2008, and posted their highest single-season goal total (12) since 2021. Richmond recorded shutout wins over Longwood, Howard, Duquesne and George Mason and saw contributions from seven different goal scorers.
In his debut season in 2023, Denton guided the Spiders to a season-opening win for the first time since 2016 and mentored multiple players to Atlantic 10 weekly honors in the opening weeks of the season. Across his first three years, he has established a possession-focused identity while elevating the program’s defensive structure, competitive standard and statistical profile.
Prior to Richmond, Denton led Davidson to one of the most successful seasons in program history in 2022, going 13-3-4 with a run to the Atlantic 10 semifinals. The Wildcats posted the highest points percentage (.750) in program history and placed four players on All-Conference teams, including First Team and All-Academic honorees.
Davidson posted a .500 or better record in three of Denton’s final four seasons, highlighted by an appearance in the 2021 Atlantic 10 Championship match. His 2019 squad set a program record with eight straight shutouts.
Denton was promoted to head coach at Davidson in December 2016 after serving as associate head coach in 2016 and assistant coach from 2013 to 2015.
Before entering collegiate coaching, Denton served as the Elite Club National League Director of Coaching at Charlotte Soccer Academy from 2009 to 2013 and was a director of coaching at Charlotte Soccer Club from 2003 to 2009, leading teams to 12 North Carolina state championships.
A native of Liverpool, England, Denton played professionally with Everton FC from 1995 to 1997 and collegiately at Wingate University, where he earned All-American honors in 1999 and South Atlantic Conference Freshman of the Year in 1997. He graduated from Wingate in 2001 with a degree in sports management.
He holds the USSF A license, the NSCAA Premier Diploma, the UEFA B license and the USSF goalkeeping license.
Denton and his wife, Brittany, have two sons, Aiden and Leo.
