Rob Ward, who joined the University of South Alabama soccer staff prior to the 2017 season, was promoted to full-time assistant coach in February 2019.
Ward's coaching tactics helped guide the Jags to 60 goals, which tied for the fourth most in a season in program history, and 43 assists during the 2021 season. The coaching staff's efforts also led to nine shutouts during the season, including two back-to-back shutouts during the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.Â
Through Ward’s coaching and analysis, the Jaguars were able to record 47 goals with the offense connecting for 54 assists during the 2020 season, which accounts for the fifth most in a single season in South Alabama program history. The technical prowess put seven Jags on the all-Sun Belt teams for the second consecutive year.
Ward has displayed a keen knowledge in recruiting, tactical planning and development of players. The implementation of the concepts of the complete coaching staff were instrumental in the 2019 season success, with an emphasis on defending and creativity in the final third of the pitch.
As a result, the team scored the highest amount of goals since 2015. Of the 50 goals scored, six were from the penalty spot and 11 from set pieces. Four of the 11 were scored in the Sun Belt Tournament Finals with a couple coming from free kicks and the other pair from corner kicks.
The defense was locked in and set a new school record for single-season goals allowed with 14 goals, bettering the previous mark set in 2005 of 17. With additional technical instruction from Samantha Ward, Tabea Griss and Leandra Flury anchored the defense as the center backs pairing for the majority of the season. Griss was out of her natural position as a midfielder, but adapted to the technical and tactical requirements.
The stat namely pointed out for defensive prowess among the coaching staff is clean sheets. The Jaguars have shut out opponents in 25 matches since Ward’s arrival prior to the 2017 season.
His first season resulted in a record-breaking season by Rio Hardy, who became the school’s all-time leader in game-winning goals, and led the conference in goals (16) and points (37), en route to Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year and United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-Region honors.
The Jaguars paced the league in goals (40) and points (108) and put seven players on the Sun Belt’s all-conference teams.
In 2018, Brenna McPartlan was named the league’s Freshman of the Year after pacing the squad with five goals, four assists and 14 points, ranking in the Sun Belt’s top 10 in each category.
The York, England native comes to USA after a year with the Carson-Newman men’s and women’s soccer programs under current Jaguar head coach Richard Moodie.
With the Eagles, Ward was involved in recruiting, video analysis, scouting reports and the GPS tracking system.
Ward’s efforts helped the women’s program earn 2016 NSCAA Southeast Region Coaching Staff of the Year honors after winning the South Atlantic Conference regular season and tournament titles, and make its second NCAA Tournament appearance in as many seasons.
Under his tutelage, Lauren Wade and Jackie Burns both made senior national team appearances with Northern Ireland.
A collegiate defender, Ward played in 49 games in three seasons at Trevecca Nazarene, including all 34 in his junior and senior campaigns. He scored 10 goals – recording five as a senior to rank second on the team – and seven assists in his career for the Trojans.
Ward graduated from Trevecca Nazarene in 2015 with a degree in sport management, and is currently working towards a master’s degree in health education at South Alabama.
His coaching licenses include an NSCAA national diploma, USSF D, NSCAA goalkeeper level 2 and English FA level 1.
