Hardin-Simmons names former Trinity coach Lance Key women's soccer head coach
Hardin-Simmons didn't have to look too far to find its new head women's soccer coach, naming former Trinity leader Lance Key to succeed Marcus Wood.
"Becoming the next head coach at Hardin-Simmons University is an incredible honor and the tallest of tasks," Key said in a statement. "One I could never have expected nor predicted and one I am so incredibly excited about."
Key was a big part of the rivalry between the two women's soccer powerhouses as the Trinity head coach from 2004-15. He stepped away from coaching until returning as an assistant women's coach at the University of Texas in 2016 and 17.
Key spent the last three seasons as the head women's soccer coach at Division I University of Louisiana following one year as an assistant men's coach at Trinity. He was also an assistant for the Trinity men before taking over the women's program.
"We are excited to welcome Lance Key to the Hardin-Simmons family,” HSU director of athletics John Neese said in a release. "We obviously have seen his coaching ability first hand and we think he will be a great fit to lead our women’s program. He has proven to be a winner at a high level on the field, his student-athletes have performed in the classroom and this is a place where he can live out his deep faith."
He went 209-21-17 at Trinity and was named the national coach of the year in 2009 and 2013.
More: HSU women's soccer coach Marcus Wood takes job at Dallas Baptist
Key becomes the sixth head coach in HSU women's soccer history and the second since 2000.
"To the young women of Cowgirl soccer, both past and present, I admire you deeply, and know first-hand what it takes to achieve the greatness you have previously attained, sometimes at my expense," Key added. "I am committed to upholding the standards that have been set and sustained by you all for the last two decades, and intent on advancing the cause in pursuit of excellence in every area of our lives, and all for the Glory of God."
Jordan Hofeditz covers Abilene high schools and colleges, Big Country schools and other local sports. Follow him on Twitter at @jhofeditz. If you appreciate locally driven news, you can support local journalists with a digital subscription to ReporterNews.com.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Key named Hardin-Simmons women's soccer head coach
