Story courtesy of Trinity University Sports Information
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Trinity University Director of Athletics Bob King has announced the appointment of former men's soccer All-American Dylan Harrison as head coach of the Tiger women's soccer team.
"I'm so happy to welcome an outstanding former student-athlete back to Trinity to lead our women's soccer team," said King. "I am confident that Dylan will be able to continue the strong culture and tradition of both the women's program, and the department as a whole."
Coach Harrison was a member of the Tiger team from 1998 to 2001. Under the guidance of longtime Head Coach Paul McGinlay, the former Trinity defender and team captain earned All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Second Team accolades in 2000 and 2001. He was elected to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Region Team in 2001. Coach Harrison was a major contributor to the team's success, as Trinity advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals in 1998 and 1999, and to the Third Round in 2000. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Trinity in business administration in 2002.
"It means the world to me have the same people I looked up to as a player think I'm capable of providing a similar great experience that I had as a student-athlete at Trinity," said Coach Harrison, when asked what it meant for him to return to campus. "Thanks to Bob King and the Search Committee, who have given me the chance to work side by side with my role models as a student. I just hope I can live up to the high standards they have continued to develop over their impressive careers."
Coach Harrison has also had an impressive career in the coaching ranks. Since 2009, he has been head women's soccer coach at Nicholls State University, in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Under his leadership, the NCAA Division I program made great strides. The Colonels set a school record for victories in a season in 2013, and the team was named the sixth-most improved Division I squad in the nation that year. Nicholls State advanced to the Southland Conference Semifinals in 2014. His teams also produced two NSCAA All-Region players, and a Southland Conference Player of the Year. Coach Harrison also holds the distinction of the most career wins at the school.
He earned a master's degree in business administration while coaching at Nicholls State. Coach Harrison also mentored the '97 Louisiana Girls Olympic Development Team from 2012 to 2015. Three of the players attended national camps, and he was named the 2014 Louisiana Soccer Association Coach of the Year.
Prior to joining the Nicholls State staff, Coach Harrison coached the NCAA Division III women's program Sewanee: The University of the South (TN) from 2006 to 2008. He guided seven players to All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference honors. Coach Harrison served as an assistant coach at Sewanee, from 2004 to 2006. A versatile leader, Coach Harrison also was an assistant track & field coach, focusing on sprinters and jumpers.
He started his coaching career at the University of the Incarnate Word, located in San Antonio. Coach Harrison oversaw all travel logistics and game-day operations.
"If you have ever been to Trinity," Coach Harrison continued, "you know what attracts everyone to the place. At the same time, I feel I left my playing career at Trinity with some unfinished business. Now, with this great group of young women, we plan to put in the work needed to bring the big trophy to San Antonio."
Coach Harrison will replace Lance Key, who resigned after 12 seasons to accept a postion as an assistant coach at the University of Texas at Austin. Coach Key guided Trinity to a school-record 209 victories, as well as a berth in the 2013 NCAA Championship game. The Tigers completed the 2015 campaign with a 19-1-2 record.
"I want to also recognize the hard work put in by the Search Committee, led by Chair Julie Jenkins," concluded King. "The Committee brought us a quality coach who has experience at a number of schools, including strong academic environments. Dylan is just as competitive as a coach as he was as a student-athlete, and that will fit perfectly with the rest of the Trinity athletics department."
