Coker Announces Garrett Linquist as Next Head Coach of Women's Soccer

HARTSVILLE, S.C. -- Coker College is excited to announce the hiring of Garrett Linquist as its' next head women's soccer coach.

"We are excited to announce Garrett as our next women's soccer coach" said Dr. Lynn Griffin, vice president of athletics and athletic facilities. "Garrett is familiar with soccer in the South Atlantic Conference, as well as soccer in the region, and will bring a competitive style of play to Coker".

Linquist comes to Coker with an extensive background coaching women's soccer. Most recently, he was the director of girls' goalkeeping program at Carolina Rapids Soccer Club where he developed and implemented curriculum for female goalkeepers, aged 10-22 years old. Linquist hired and managed the goalkeeping staff, led player evaluations, managed player movement, and coached ECNL and USYS teams.

Prior to his time there he was the assistant women's soccer coach and head developmental team coach at Catawba College. Linquist assisted in the planning and coordination of training sessions and game plans for the Indians. He assisted in scouting and recruiting, including coordinating official visits, and helping student-athletes navigate the NCAA Eligibility Center process.

Additionally, Linquist oversaw and managed all aspects of the Catawba College developmental team including the training sessions and coaching of games, recruitment of student-athletes, management of the developmental team budget, ordering of team equipment, managing and reporting NCAA compliance, team travel, and the mentoring and development of student-athletes.

Prior to Catawba, Linquist was the assistant women's soccer coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. There, he helped plan and implement training sessions and game plans, was responsible for scouting and recruiting, and also served as the video coordinator for the program.

"I would like to thank Dr. Wyatt, Dr. Griffin and the search committee for giving me the opportunity to lead the women's soccer program at Coker College.  Throughout the process it became very evident that Coker College has all the ingredients to give the student-athletes a great experience and build a successful women's soccer program.  I would like to thank Thomas Finlay for giving the opportunity to lead the Girl's Goalkeeping Program at Carolina Rapids; Nate Williams, Jeremy Weeks, Nick Brown and Jimmy Mitchell for mentoring me throughout my coaching career and my family for the support they've always given me to pursue my goals.  I am extremely excited to begin the journey of building a culture of success and excellence both on and off the field and delighted to join the Coker Family!"

Linquist graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne University in 2012 with a degree in accounting.