JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman soccer head coaches Simon Duffy and Stephen Lyons have announced the hiring of Matthew Carr as an assistant coach to both the men's and women's programs at Mossy Creek.
Carr comes from the sidelines at Clayton State University where he was a member of the coaching staff for women's program in 2017. He was also the academy coach for the Southern Crescent Goalkeeper Academy in Atlanta.
Carr spent 4 years as an assistant coach for Kennesaw State where the former goalkeeper worked closely with the KSU goalkeepers and backline, using his array of experience as both a coach and former professional player to mold a talented group of defenders.
"Matt came in highly recommended and we knew the decision was right once we had looked through his resume and had a good chat with him," Lyons stated. "He matched all of our expectations and the directions we wanted both of the programs here to go in. He brings a level of professionalism through his experience in the U.S. and overseas. Just a great personality that fits and we have no doubt he will come in and do a phenomenal job."
After playing both collegiately and professionally in goal, Carr will mentor a young, but talented group of goalkeepers this fall for both men and women's programs at Carson-Newman University.
"When we were looking for a replacement, we didn't want to rush it and we wanted to make sure we hired the right person," Duffy mentioned. "I've known Matt for years and when the position became available, he's the first one I thought about. He's worked at some fantastic programs at all different levels and coached some terrific players along the way as well. I think he's got a great personality to come in and work with both sets of keepers here."
Matt most recently played professionally for the Atlanta Silverbacks FC of the National premier Soccer League. He also spent a stint playing professional soccer in Bessastaðahreppur, Iceland, where he was the starting goalkeeper for Knattspyrna Alftanes in 2009. While in Iceland, Carr worked with the Icelandic national team goalkeepers on both the men's and women's teams.
He was afforded the opportunity after perfecting his skills at the collegiate level, playing scholarship soccer at Reinhardt University where he helped his team earn a NAIA top-10 national ranking. Carr had the luxury to play alongside some of the top youth national team players from around the globe including players from the Scottish Youth National Team, African National Team(s) and the English Youth National Team.
Carr comes from the sidelines at Clayton State University where he was a member of the coaching staff for women's program in 2017. He was also the academy coach for the Southern Crescent Goalkeeper Academy in Atlanta.
"It's a wonderful place here and its been a very busy going throught the hiring proccess and meeting everybody," Carr said. "Happy to be on campus finally and getting some things done in the office. It has been really eye opening as far as what athletics are doing at C-N. I am really thrilled to be a part of both men's and women's programs this year."
Prior to his stint with the Lakers, Carr spent 4 years as an assistant coach for Kennesaw State where the former goalkeeper worked closely with the KSU goalkeepers and backline, using his array of experience as both a coach and former professional player to mold a talented group of defenders.
From Division I Kennesaw State to Division I Virginia Commonwealth University in 2011, Carr was hired as the first assistant for the women's program in which he helped groom a Colonial Athletic Association All Conference Goalkeeper, who finished the season ranked No. 25 in the country in GAA.
Prior to his tenure at VCU, Carr spent time as a staff coach in the Women's Professional Soccer league with the Atlanta Beat under the tutelage of former head coach Gareth O'Sullivan. In his time there, he worked with the Beat's goalkeepers and reserves including numerous US national team members and world internationals.
As a three-year Varsity Letterman and two year team Captain at Milton High School in Alpharetta, Georgia. Carr grew up playing club soccer in both the Premier and Classic leagues of Georgia and Virginia.
Additionally, Carr served as a coach with the KR Reykjavik women's club and the Alftanes Pro men's club. During his time in Iceland, he coached several goalkeepers of the Icelandic Women's National team.
His 2009 wrapped up with an assistant coaching position in the fall at The University of Bridgeport (Conn.), where he guided the Purple Knights to a conference title and saw Emelie Karstrom receive East Coast Conference Tournament MVP honors for her outstanding goalkeeping.
Carr earned his Bachelor's Degree in Biology at the University of West Georgia where he helped start the women's soccer program in 2005. Matt currently resides in Knoxville, Tennessee.
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