Pride Sports Info.
ELON, N.C. -- Elon Head Coach Darren Powell has announced the promotion of Jason O’Keefe (Greensboro College '96) from assistant coach to associate head coach for the 2009 season. O’Keefe has served under Powell for two seasons, helping the team to back-to-back winning campaigns and a 2008 Southern Conference regular-season title.
O'Keefe played soccer at Greensboro College and graduated in 1996. He later was an assistant coach at GC under Powell in 2000. He then served The Pride under Rusty Scarborough for the next two seasons.
“We are very happy to see Jason get this promotion in recognition for his efforts over the past two years,” commented Powell. “Jason has been instrumental in moving this program forward on the field and in the classroom. His passion for college soccer has been evident in his day-to-day approach and on the recruiting trail. We hope he will continue to strive to help this program get stronger and stronger over the next few years.”
Elon is coming off one of its most successful seasons since joining the Division I ranks in 1999. The 2008 Phoenix posted a 10-9-1 overall mark, including a perfect 7-0-0 record against league opponents. Prior to last season, no Elon team had won more than four SoCon matches in a campaign since the Phoenix joined the conference in 2003.
Before coming to Elon, O’Keefe served as an assistant coach for the Cincinnati Bearcats in 2006, helping the team to an 11-6-2 overall record, a Big East regular-season title and a trip to the NCAA College Cup. O’Keefe also spent three seasons as on staff at Wake Forest, where the Demon Deacons compiled a 42-18-4 mark during his tenure.
“I am very excited and grateful for this opportunity,” O’Keefe said. “I want to thank Director of Athletics Dave Blank and the administration for having the confidence to give me this promotion. I look forward to helping Coach Powell lead the team to new heights and achieve the goals we have set for this program.”
