ASHLAND, Va. --- Jay Howell, Executive Director of the Richmond Strikers Soccer Club, has been named women’s soccer head coach at Randolph-Macon College.

"I'm thankful for this great opportunity and very pleased to join the Randolph-Macon Athletic Department staff,” Howell said. “On and off the field, I look forward to collaborating with the players to create a culture of excellence, growth, and success."

Howell has worked with the Strikers for the past two years. He began as Executive Director of the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) and also served as a head coach of ECNL and travel teams. Howell was promoted to Executive Director and Director of Soccer for the Richmond Strikers earlier this year, adding administrative duties along with coaching responsibilities.

“Jay Howell is someone I have respected and followed throughout his coaching career and someone that I had always hoped to get involved with Randolph-Macon athletics,” said Jeff Burns, R-MC Director of Athletics. “He brings a unique combination of coaching and administrative experiences to campus and should mesh well with our staff and our student-athletes.”

Prior to joining the Richmond Strikers, Howell was the Executive Director for the Birmingham United Soccer Association in Birmingham, Ala., from 2010-12 and served as the Director of Coaching for the Capital Area Soccer League (CASL) in Raleigh, N.C., from 1999-2010.

Howell graduated from the University of Richmond in 1989 with a B.A. in political science. He was the head coach of the women’s soccer varsity team at Douglas Freeman High School from 1993-97 and served as assistant coach for the men’s team at his alma mater from 1995-97. Howell also was club director and director of coaching for the Richmond Capitals Soccer Club from 1993-97.

In 1997, Howell moved to Chapel Hill, N.C., to become an assistant coach for the men’s soccer program at the University of North Carolina for two years. He handled administrative duties as well as daily training for the student-athletes. Howell helped rebuild the program into a national power.

Howell replaces Jim Woods, who served as R-MC women’s soccer head coach for the past 12 years. Woods recently accepted a position as Assistant Director of Admissions at Randolph-Macon.

--- This release is courtesy of the Randolph-Macon College sports information department. ---
www.rmcathletics.com