New soccer Head Coach Christopher McBride
 File photo/The Lion's Roar

Chistopher McBride has been named new head coach of the women’s soccer team. The search began mid-season last year as the Interim Head Coach Matt Muia finished up the last part of the season for the team. McBride was officially named the fourth head coach on Nov. 28, 2016 by Director of Athletics Jay Artigues after he applied for the job.

“We’re really excited about our new hire,” said Artigues. “Coach McBride brings a sense of energy and enthusiasm and a wealth of knowledge. I can’t wait for him to get started with our young ladies.”

Originally from Prestwick, Scotland, McBride played soccer until he was 18 and currently holds a Scottish Youth Football Association level “E” and “D” license, Level one, Level two and Level three licenses in goalkeeping from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America as well as an NSCAA National Diploma. He came to the United States to attend Martin Methodist College. He was team captain twice in his four-year career and helped the RedHawks win one TranSouth Athletic Conference regular season championship, one league tournament title and helped them advance to the 2009 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Tournament quarterfinals. During his time at Martin Methodist College, he was named TranSouth Scholar athlete three times. As a senior, McBride was named an Academic All-American, was given the Tom Read Academic Award for highest grade point average of any male student athlete and was awarded the Royce Hughes Physical Education Non-Licensure Award. 

After he graduated from Martin Methodist with his bachelor’s in physical education and minor in biology, he went on to receive his master’s from the University of North Alabama in health and human performance. He served as an assistant coach for North Alabama for four years where he and the UNA goalkeepers recorded eight shutouts and averaged 0.75 goals in 2015.

He moved from the University of North Alabama to the University of South Alabama where he was assistant coach for the Jaguars for one season. During his time there, they won their fourth Sun Belt Conference title and exited the season with a 7-3 conference mark. South Alabama University went on to the National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament where they lost to Auburn and finished the season at 15-6-1 overall. He also helped coach the Alabama Olympic Development Program.

McBride came to the university to serve as head coach for the first time in his career and will take over the soccer team which finished at 7-11-2 overall as they also made their 19th appearance at the Southland Conference tournament.

McBride was excited and grateful as well. He expressed his gratitude at a conference after he was hired.

“I want to thank Mr. Artigues, Sherry Kennemer and the hiring committee for giving me the opportunity to work at Southeastern Louisiana,” said McBride. “I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to work with the girls. I was fortunate enough to see the play when we played against them last spring. They’re a talented group of individuals, and I’m really looking forward to preparing for upcoming seasons.”