The University of Akron women’s soccer program announced the hiring of Andrew Hoggarth to Assistant Coach on Wednesday, Feb. 20.
“We are excited after an exhausting search that Andy chose to accept our offer to be a part of our staff and program. His experience as a goalkeeper, goalkeeping coach, head coach at the collegiate level, and head coach at the professional level will bring numerous ideas and insights of the game to help our staff become better and most importantly help our players become better,” Head Coach Vernon Croft said of the hiring.
Croft continued, “Andy will fit in extremely well with our staff, and will do a great job filling the recruiting coordinator position while also taking the direction of the goalkeepers, as well an assistant in other aspects on and off the field.”
Hoggarth comes to the Zips after serving six years as head soccer coach at Thiel College from 2007-12. Hoggarth was instrumental in the recruitment and retention of student-athletes, which resulted in increased roster size, GPA, and winning percentage for both the men’s and women’s soccer programs.
Along with head coaching duties, Hoggarth sat as co-chair to the Physical Education department at Thiel College. One of his main duties was to be the chair of the coaching minor within the P.E. department.
Prior to Thiel College, Hoggarth was an associate head coach at Shenandoah University, where he also earned his Master’s in Education. Goalkeeper development and coaching was a main aspect to the position as well.
Hoggarth had also worked with Middlebrough Football Club from 2003-05 as a Health Promoter and Goalkeeper Development Officer. One of his main responsibilities in that position was to communicate the healthy lifestyle offered by soccer, and to develop and implement goalkeeper academy programs.
Before pursuing a career in coaching, he spent time as goalkeeper for several youth academies and semi-professional teams with the culmination of winning the FA Vase in 2001 with Whitley Bay FC. He has also spent time recently in 2012 as head coach of AFC Cleveland, which turned in a 6-7-2 record in his first season at the helm.
Hoggarth received his Bachelor’s degree in Sports Studies from Nothumbria University in Newcastle, England. He has also earned an Advanced National Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches of America.
Hoggarth will remain the head coach for AFC Cleveland, which plays in the NPSL during the summer months.
