After nine successful years as head coach of the College of Charleston women’s soccer team, Kevin Dempsey is leaving the College to pursue a position as an assistant coach at LSU. Former Assistant coach Mike Barroqueiro will stand in indefinitely as the interim head coach for the Cougars.
"We had a fantastic nine years at CofC,” said Dempsey. “It's never easy to leave a place that you love. We appreciate all of the support we've received over the years, from our fans and players to our staff and administration. The program is in a much better position today than when we arrived nine years ago. I'm very proud of that."
Over his nine-year tenure at CofC, Dempsey led the Cougars to a 99-78-22 overall record and a 54-32-8 mark in Southern Conference play since 2001. That includes an overall record of 24-12-6 in the last two seasons.
The Cougars flourished in those nine seasons, earning runner-up finishes in the SoCon Tournament in 2002 and 2009. Charleston earned 28 All-SoCon and All-SoCon Tournament selections under Dempsey. The Cougars were also outstanding in the classroom during Dempsey's tenure and won the NSCAA Team Academic Award in each of his nine seasons while posting a team GPA of 3.0 or higher.
At LSU, Dempsey will join Brian Lee and associate head coach Debbie Hensley to form the core of a coaching staff with a combined 31 years of head coaching experience at the NCAA Division I level.
“We will miss Kevin,” said Joe Hull, CofC Director of Athletics. “He did an outstanding job for the Cougars and was well liked by players, coaches, staff, parents and friends. He has put the Charleston women’s soccer team on a successful path. We are indebted to Kevin for his hard work and leadership.”
Mike Barroqueiro, an assistant coach at CofC, will now take over indefinitely as interim head coach. Barroqueiro joined the Cougar coaching staff in 2008 and aided the team in going 12-7-2 (8-2 SoCon) on its way to a second-place conference finish last season.
“Although I’m sad to see Kevin go, I couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunities he has afforded me during our time working together,” said Barroqueiro. “Because of his leadership and guidance, I know I am more ready than ever to lead this program to new heights.”
Barroqueiro came to CofC after serving as assistant coach/recruiting coordinator with Rutgers University since 2007. In that capacity, he assisted in all facets of the program from developing and overseeing practice sessions to aiding in budget assessments as well as recruiting. He also organized recruiting trips and both official and unofficial visits.
Barroqueiro has worked with and developed some of the most successful goalkeepers in the world as well. He worked extensively with Karina LeBlanc, the most capped women’s keeper in the history of Canadian women’s soccer. LeBlanc has represented her country in both the Olympics and the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“Mike’s energy and passion for the game make me want to be a better player every single day,” said LeBlanc. “He is driven to be the best coach he can possibly be and his energy is contagious. I know he has the potential and the ability to succeed at all levels of the game.”
While at Rutgers, he also mentored Erin Guthrie who was an All-American and Big East Keeper of the Year and is now a professional keeper with FC Gold Pride in the WPS.
“I’m incredibly appreciative of the opportunity to lead this program into the 2010 season,” said Barroqueiro. “With a very strong returning group and a talented class of incoming players, there is no doubt that we will continue to progress in the right direction. We have only one goal leading into the season, to win the SoCon Championship, and right now the team is more prepared than ever to do that.”
A 2005 graduate of Rutgers, Barroqueiro served as head coach of the women's soccer club team from 2003-06 and led the team to regional runner-up finishes in 2004 and 2005, as well as a regional semifinal appearance in 2003. From 2003-06, Barroqueiro was Director of Women’s Soccer Operations for the Scarlet Knights, as well.
“Mike has been an important part of our program over the past two seasons and is ready for this challenge,” said Hull. “Our goal is to win the SoCon Championship and our team is prepared to make it happen with Mike’s leadership.”