UTC Selects Gavin McKinney New Women's Soccer Coach

Gavin McKinney built Cumberland University (Lebanon, Tenn.) women’s soccer program to national prominence in five years with three, NAIA national tournament Round of 16 appearances on his resume.

UTC athletics director David Blackburn believes as new UTC head women’s soccer coach, McKinney can have an immediate impact on the Mocs program and build it into a competitive D-I team.

The Sherwood Park, Alberta native was 71-26-3 in five seasons at Cumberland, with the aforementioned three straight Round of 16 appearances (Final 8 this fall) a No.6 final ranking in 2014 and had the conference player and freshman of the year.

“I am excited about Gavin’s proven ability to build a program, his recruiting connections in this region, and his six years in the state Olympic Development Program (ODP),” said Blackburn.

“But I am really impressed with his character and his leadership ability working with and developing players academically, socially and on the soccer field.”

UTC was 1-17-1 this fall and the last winning season was 12-5-1 in 2004.

“UTC has tons of positives and the potential to be competitive in the Southern Conference and beyond is endless and I am ready for the challenge,” said McKinney who coached 13 All-Americans at Cumberland and was All-Mid- South Conference for Lambuth University graduating in 2005 as a Dean’s List student.

On recruiting, McKinney said, “You have to be very aware of talent in your own back yard (Chattanooga) and also be in tune with the best players in the state and southeast.”

Quick Notes on Gavin McKinney
- 71-26-3 record in five seasons as head coach at Cumberland University (Lebanon, Ky.)
- Three-straight trips to the NAIA Sweet 16.
- Advanced to the Final Eight in 2014.
- First ever No.

1 national ranking during the regular season in 2014.
- Two-Time Mid-South Coach of the Year (2012, 2013).
- Three conference players of the year, 13 All-Americans and 21 conference scholar-athletes.
- Experience with the State of Tennessee Olympic Development Program.
- B coaching license with the U.S. Soccer Federation. 
- Bachelors in Recreation & Sport Management from Lambuth (’05).
- Master’s in Education from UT Martin (’06). 

 McKinney, 32, also served as a club coach with the Jackson Soccer Club from 2006-10 and as part of the State of Tennessee Olympic Development Training Program for six years. He holds a “B” coaching license with the US Soccer Federation, completed in February 2012.  He and his wife, Shari, have a one-year old daughter, Ava.  

Year	School	Record	Postseason
2014	Cumberland	17-4-1	NAIA Final 8
2013	Cumberland	16-4-1	NAIA Final 16
2012	Cumberland	19-3-0	NAIA Final 16
2011	Cumberland	10-8-0
2012	Cumberland	9-7-1
Totals	5 Years	71-26-3

 

 

contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net