Men's Soccer Southern Conference

Wofford College Announces Hiring of Head Men's Soccer Coach

The Wofford College Athletic Department has announced the hiring of Matt Kern as head men's soccer coach.

Kern comes to Wofford from the University of the South (Sewanee), where he served as head coach for 12 years. Over that time, his teams had a record of 126-92-11, including a 15-3 mark in the fall of 2001 as he guided Sewanee to the school's first Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference title and an NCAA Tournament berth.

"We're very excited and convinced that we've got the right guy to lead our soccer program," Wofford Athletic Director Richard Johnson said. "Matt Kern has experienced success as a player at the highest level and has also led Sewanee to an NCAA Tournament berth. More importantly, he's done so at a school with an academic profile similar to Wofford's. He understands the importance of a liberal arts education and how to maintain the proper balance between athletics and academics. We couldn't have hoped for a better fit."

Kern was named SCAC Coach of the Year in 2000 and 2001. Before arriving at Sewanee, he served one year as the assistant coach at Springfield (Mass.) College.

Kern received his bachelor's degree in elementary education from Hartwick College (N.Y.) in 1988. While playing for the Hawks, he was a four-year starter on teams which reached the NCAA playoffs each year, including two final four appearances. Professionally, Kern holds an Advanced National Coaching Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

"The players who met Coach Kern on his visit were excited and I'm sure that the rest of the team will be as well," Johnson said. "We look forward to his arrival so we can begin preparations for the fall season."

Kern is a native of Columbia, Md. He and his wife, Chapman, have a son, Brooks, and a daughter, Emerson.