(Story courtesy of Centenary College Athletics Communications)
SHREVEPORT, La. -- Kevin White has been named the new head coach of the Centenary men's soccer program, Director of Athletics and recreation David Orr announced on Thursday.
White comes to Centenary from the University of Texas at Dallas, a fellow division III member, where he spent the last eight years as the men's assistant coach and becomes the seventh Gents head coach in program history. In his time at UT-Dallas, White helped lead the Comets to four American Southwest Conference regular season championships, three ASC tournament titles, and four NCAA tournament appearances. UT-Dallas was 100-29-12 and 56-8-12 in conference play in that span.
"I am very excited to be named Head Coach at Centenary College," said White. I want to thank Athletic Director David Orr for giving me the opportunity to lead the program. I can't wait to get season started here in just a couple weeks."
White replaces former head coach Kyle Symczak, who recently accepted another collegiate position after five years at the helm. White takes over a Gents program that made a magical and improbable three-day run to the SCAC Tournament title on its home field in April. The Maroon and White made their first appearance in the SCAC Championship title game in nine years as a member of the conference and just their second all-time appearance in the event.
Centenary claimed the tournament title at Mayo Field after besting St. Thomas in a penalty kick shootout. The Gents, fueled by a supportive home crowd over three days, knocked off No. 3 seed Colorado College 2-1 in the quarterfinals and then played No. 2 Southwestern to a scoreless draw after two overtimes and then advanced, 5-3 on penalty kicks to clinch their first title game appearance in program history.
Centenary became the first No. 6 seed in SCAC Championship history to make the final and first to win it. The Gents finished 4-1-3 at home this past season and are 11-4-3 in their last 18 home matches at Mayo Field.
White has previously served as a Staff Coach for both the North Texas State Soccer Association (2009-15) and the North Texas Celtic Futbol Club (2010-17). White also played for UT-Dallas from 2005-08 and was a two-time (2007 & 2008) ASC Offensive Player of the Year and made the NSCAA All-Region squad both years. White was a 2014 UTD Hall of Honor inductee. Following his super collegiate career, he played for the DFW Tornados, a Premier Development League, from 2007-10.
"I am very excited to have Coach White joining the Centenary Coaching staff," said Orr. Kevin brings a competitive pedigree and knows the landscape of NCAA Division III in our geographic area and knowledge of competing with SCAC programs."
"Coach White stood out amongst the candidate pool as a great fit for Centenary College and he will hit the ground running and will get to work immediately."
The Gents are scheduled to play a pair of exhibition games this month, on Aug. 17 at LSU-Alexandria at 5 p.m. and then will face Jarvis Christian at home on Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. Centenary will open its regular season on Sept. 1 at LeTourneau in a match scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
