Gavin MacLeod has been named head coach for the Dayton Dutch Lions W-League team.
“I am happy with Gavin joining the club and leading the women’s program,” Dutch Lions Technical Manager Sid van Druenen commented. “He is not only a good coach on the field, but also a very dedicated person off the field with a lot of connections, knowledge, and social skills. He has experience working with female athletes and I trust him to do a great job with the Dayton Dutch Lions 2014 women’s team and build on the successful 2013 season.”
MacLeod was a standout at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, TN from 2005-2008. His team claimed a number of honors and titles, including two NCAA Final Four appearances in Division II. MacLeod himself was named NSCAA Scholar All-Region in 2008.
He would earn a Bachelor’s Degree from Lincoln Memorial before moving on to earn a Master’s Degree from Leeds Metropolitan University in 2010.
“I am delighted to be working with the 2013 W-League Organization of the Year and I look forward to building upon the success of last season,” MacLeod stated. “The Dutch Lions provide a fantastic platform for collegiate players, particularly those with professional aspirations, to compete against the best players in the country and gain exposure on a national level during the summer. Sid van Druenen did a very impressive job of building a team that won the Southeastern Conference last season, and while he has left me some big shoes to fill, I have every intention of defending that title and more.”
MacLeod also worked for English side Leeds United FC, initially serving as an academy coach before joining the reserve and first team coaching staff. This gave him the opportunity to work with youth and senior international players from around the world.
The first team had great success during his time there, finishing as high as second in League One. The reserves had similar triumphs, winning the Central League Division One East Division.
Moving back to the Cincinnati area, he would eventually spend time on the coaching staffs of the Cincinnati Kings and Cincinnati Saints before landing his current assignments at the College of Mount St. Joseph’s, Ohio South, and the Kings Hammer Soccer Club.
MacLeod is also known for his work as a certified strength & conditioning coach and sports nutritionist. He has worked with the Great Britain women’s basketball team, Scottish National Team rugby players, Olympic and world champion triathletes as well as world champion boxers.
