TEMPE, Ariz. – University of South Alabama soccer head coach Graham Winkworth has been named to the same position at Arizona State, it was announced Tuesday.

Winkworth will replace Kevin Boyd, who resigned after posting a 6-11-2 record in 2016.

In four seasons at South Alabama, Winkworth posted a 66-18-7 (.764) overall record, won three straight Sun Belt Conference regular-season titles and four Sun Belt Tournament crowns, resulting in an NCAA Tournament appearance each year.

"Simply put, Graham has transformed the women's soccer program at the University of South Alabama," USA director of athletics Joel Erdmann said. "What has been accomplished in his time here is simply astounding, we deeply appreciate his leadership and service.  We wish him nothing but the best and will forever be appreciative of his time as a Jaguar."

In Sun Belt play, Winkworth went 29-5-2 (.833), including unbeaten seasons in 2014 and 2015. His 2015 team became the first league school in five years to post a perfect league season, going 9-0. The Jaguars won 33 straight games against conference teams over a four-year period.

Over the last three seasons, South Alabama collected nine individual end-of-season awards given by the Sun Belt, including consecutive coach-of-the-year honors for Winkworth in 2014 and 2015, with 20 players named to the all-league teams.

Academically, the team posted better than a 3.0 GPA in every semester during his tenure, including three semesters with a 3.5 or higher. Thirty-two players earned a spot on the Sun Belt Commissioner's List, with 15 more named to the Academic Honor Roll.

Clarissa Hernandez was voted CoSIDA Academic All-America in 2013, and Danielle Henley was an Academic All-District selection in 2015.

"I first want to thank President [Dr. Tony] Waldrop for his support and providing me the opportunity to work here at this wonderful school," Winkworth said. "I cannot thank Dr. Erdmann enough for how he has influenced my career and life. No words can explain my level of gratitude to him, but it has been amazing to be part of this first-class department. Jinni Frisbey, my supervisor these last few years, deserves an immense amount of credit and thanks. Jinni will always be special to my family and I consider her my sister for life.

"Finally, I want to thank all the coaches and players that I have had the pleasure and privilege to work with these last four years. These ladies will always have a special place in my heart and have shown more support for my family than anyone can ever imagine. I want to wish the girls all the very best for the future both on and off the pitch, I know each and every one of them can attain any goal their heart desires."

After guiding the program to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2013, he led the Jags to a school-record 19 wins the next year, a second consecutive SBC Tournament championship, and a return trip to the NCAA Tournament, earning the league's coach-of-the-year honor in the process.

South Alabama lost to Florida State in the NCAA Tournament again the next season but not before winning the program's first non-shared regular-season conference title since the league started sponsoring the sport in 2000, and becoming the first Sun Belt school to outright sweep the major individual awards.

USA set numerous school records, including highest win percentage (.848), longest unbeaten streak (18), consecutive games scored (22) and shutouts (12), while tying the fewest losses (3) and longest win streak (9) marks.

Year three saw the Jags repeat as regular-season and tournament champions, becoming the first Sun Belt school since 2010 to post a perfect league record (9-0), and earned a final national ranking (No. 25) for the first time in school history.

In another first, USA advanced to the second round in the NCAA Tournament, following a 4-0 shutout win over LSU, before dropping a 5-0 decision to No. 1 seed FSU.

Last season, the Jaguars defeated No. 1 Florida State, the first of a school-record seven consecutive shutouts, and won a third league championship, and a fourth Sun Belt tournament title, thanks to three straight clean sheets, but fell 4-0 to eventual quarterfinalist Auburn in the NCAA Tournament.

South Alabama returns 10 starters and 17 letterwinners next season.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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