Long Named Women’s Soccer
Coach
Kevin Long, the assistant women’s soccer
coach at North Carolina State University since 2001, has been hired
as the new head coach of the Rider University women's soccer program,
Rider Director of Athletics Curt Blake announced.
The former head coach of the Randolph-Macon
Woman’s College soccer team, Long becomes the third coach of
the Rider women’s program, which became a varsity sport in 1997.
“I’m extremely excited about coming to Rider and
taking over a team that went to the finals of the conference tournament
last year, one win away from the NCAA tournament,” said Long.
“With the roster of players coming back and recruits coming
in, it is a situation that is prime and ready for success.”
“We’re very excited and
pleased to have Kevin become part of the Rider community,” said
Blake. "He’s been involved in the sport of soccer for 25
years as a player, clinician, assistant coach and head coach. He has
also worked extensively with the Olympic Development Program and brings
outstanding credentials and experience to the Rider Women’s
Soccer team and to Rider University.”
Long is a 1993 graduate of George Mason
University, where he was a member of the varsity soccer team. Long
began coaching at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in 1997 before
moving on to NC State, one of the premier soccer programs in the nation.
“I really enjoyed my time at NC
State, working alongside one of the finest coaches in the country
(Laura Kerrigan) and in one of the elite athletic programs across
the country. It’s time to put my family first, and I am eager
to be a head coach again and put my imprint on a program,” Long
said. Long comes to Rider with his wife, Shelly, and three daughters,
Austyn, Alyssa and Abigail.
Long replaces Peggy Matthews,
who compiled a 23-52-2 record before resigning in December. Matthews
led Rider to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship game
in 2002 and to the MAAC semi-finals in 2001.
The Broncs will graduate just one player
from the 2002 squad.
