JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman director of athletics Allen Morgan has announced that Simon Duffy will serve as the seventh women's soccer coach in school history.
"Duffy brings to us the three characteristic we look for in outstanding coaches in any sport," Morgan said. "Number one is great character. Number two is a strong focus on academics. Number three is a strong technician of the game. He also brings an expectation of excellence from himself and his student-athletes in all three areas, which have been the cornerstone of Carson-Newman athletics for years. We expect that he will continue the tradition that Carson-Newman women's soccer has enjoyed over the last 15 years."
Duffy comes to Mossy Creek from King (Tenn.) University, where he spent the last six years heading up the women's program. Prior to that, he devoted five seasons to coaching the women's team at his alma mater, Lambuth University.
"I appreciate Allen for entrusting me in taking over a program as established as Carson-Newman," Duffy said. "I anticipate it being a fantastic journey where we will continue the success we've had in the past. I'd also be remiss if I didn't thank my King family, especially athletic director David Hicks, as well as our coaching staffs over the last six seasons, and all the players who have come through the halls over the years."
During his half-dozen campaigns leading the Tornado, Duffy took the team to the Conference Carolinas tournament each year. In 2013, his squad earned the school's first tournament victory, when they knocked off top-seeded and regular season champion Lees-McRae in the first round. They also earned King's first home tournament match in 2015 after posting a 7-3-1 league record. He finishes his career in Bristol with a 31-28-6 conference record.
Over the course of the last six seasons, 17 players off Duffy's teams have been named all-conference, including five in 2016. The last three years have seen five players named all-region and, in 2015, sophomore Hulda Sigurdardottir was chosen as an All-American.
"I've coached against Carson-Newman for the last six seasons," Duffy said. "They, now we, are a team that has been beyond impressive. Every time we played Carson-Newman at King, I knew it was always going to be a game I would have to be beyond prepared for. Then you look at the facilities, and the support the program receives, not just from the fans, who pack the stadium, but also Mr. Morgan, Dr. O'Brien and the entire administration, that has me really excited."
The native of Navan, Ireland got his first head coaching experience at Lambuth, the university he graduated from in 2003 with a degree in Psychology. He helped the program make a transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II during his time as coach. Before taking the reins at Lambuth, Duffy spent a year as an assistant for the Young Harris men's soccer team. His first coaching experience came in 2003 and 2004, when he was the co-head coach of boys and girls soccer at Martin Westview High School in Martin, Tenn.
Duffy started his collegiate soccer career with the Lambuth Eagles as a student-athlete in 1999. During a four year career, he was a two-time All-Mid-South conference selection and helped his team win a conference title during his freshman season. He was also named team captain as a senior.
Duffy holds a USSF National 'A' Coaching License and an NSCAA Premier Diploma. He also holds a Football Association of Ireland Level 1 & Youth Coaching Diploma. Duffy is a coach for TN ODP & also is a coaching instructor for TN Soccer.
Simon is married to Lizzie Duffy.
In each of the last two years, the C-N women's soccer team has captured the regular season and tournament titles in the South Atlantic Conference. They've also earned victories in the NCAA Tournament.
The 2017 edition of the Eagles will bring back SAC Player of the Year Lauren Wade (Coleraine, Northern Ireland) and six other players who were named all-conference.
"I know the caliber of players we have here," Duffy said. "They know what it takes to win. They want to gun for a third straight SAC title. The caliber of team that it is to be able to compete on that level and go for a third straight title while competing for a national championship is something I'm very much looking forward to."
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