Clarksville, Ark. --- Chad Leonard has been named the new head women's soccer coach at the University of the Ozarks, announced by Athletics Director Jimmy Clark on Tuesday.
Leonard has been the Director of Soccer Operations and Camps at the University of Texas-Austin since January. Leonard assisted with day-to-day operations of the NCAA I Longhorns program under head coach Chris Petrucelli. He additionally administered camps for nearly 1100 participants at UT this summer.
Leonard began his coaching career at NCAA III Hilbert College in Hamburg, New York, where he served as head men’s coach for two seasons. Leonard then moved on to NCAA II Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa, where he was the head assistant men’s and women’s coach and recruiting coordinator in 2002. Leonard was promoted to head coach of the women’s program in 2003, and in 2004, he took on additional responsibilities as the head men’s coach. Prior to his arrival, the women’s program had not had a winning season in seven years, and in his first year as head coach, Leonard’s team went 9-11-0 after going 0-16-1 the previous season. He became the school’s leader in career wins after three seasons with the women’s program and was named the Women’s Soccer National Independent College Coach of the Year in 2005. In 2006, Leonard led the Lady Peacocks to their first playoff appearance, while having two players selected to the Northern Sun All-Conference Team. During his tenure at Upper Iowa, his teams set more than 20 school records. He coached four Collegiate Conference All-Americans at Upper Iowa and his 2005 women’s team led NCAA II in scoring offense.
"We are excited to have Coach Leonard join our staff," said Clark. "I look forward to him continuing to build the women’s soccer program here. He is experienced, knowledgeable and was very prepared during the interview process. I believe he can be successful recruiting Texas prospects because of the connections he has there. He is familiar with the NCAA III philosophy having played and coached in that arena. He understands the student-athlete aspect."
A native of Scio, New York, Leonard earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Hilbert College in 1995 and also was a three-year starter on the soccer team.
Topics: Athletics