Kyle Hoelzel Announced as Women's Soccer Head Coach
CUTHBERT, Ga. -- Andrew College interim athletic director Blake Williams announced the hiring of Kyle Hoelzel as the head coach of the women's soccer program.
"We are excited to welcome Kyle Hoelzel to the AC family," said Williams. "After only knowing him for a short time it's easy to see his passion for soccer and a commitment to helping his student-athletes develop in all areas of their lives. He's already hit the recruiting trail and there's no doubt that he will put his own stamp on the AC women's soccer program in the coming years."
Hoelzel arrives on College Street to take over the reins of the back-to-back Region 17 semifinalist Fighting Tigers following time at the youth, interscholastic and pro-am levels.
Hoelzel steps in for Cory Harbinson, who stepped down after three seasons at the helm of the Fighting Tigers program to take an assistant coaching position at Valdosta State University. AC went 18-32-5 (.455 percent) during Harbinson's tenure including turning the program around from a 1-16-0 season to appear in back-to-back Region 17 Semifinals.
An accomplished high school coach, Hoelzel brings a career .761 winning percentage including a season where he guided his team to an unblemished record year. During that season his squad amassed a +116 goal differential while holding 20 opponents scoreless and racking up 119 total goals scored.
"I want to thank the selection committee for giving me this opportunity to share in the school's mission and President Buchanon's vision of growth," said Hoelzel. "My faith along with being blessed by having such a wonderful family and being surrounded by great people and coaches in my career have helped make me what I am today, a coach who cares. It is important to mentor young people toward those things that are most important in life and lead them in creating their own order of priorities to live by. I am excited about competing for the conference championship and leading this team to greatness on and off the pitch."
Hoelzel's organization and leadership made an immediate impact at his last school in which he transformed and rebuilt a program that now boasts three successful high school teams at the freshman, junior varsity and varsity levels.
Hoelzel previously served one of the most successful club programs in the state of Florida, Team Boca. As a staff coach he worked with multiple age groups and served with the club's Pro-Am side, WPSL Boca Blast. During his time at Team Boca he led multiple teams to Florida Youth Soccer State Cup, Region III Cup and numerous tournament championships and coached multiple players who went on to play collegiate soccer.
Additionally with the Blast he worked with current collegiate athletes and national team players. One of the Blast's players went on to represent Team Boca with the Columbia Women's National Team in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Prior to Team Boca, the Lake Worth, Fla., native served as a director of coaching for a local soccer club and worked in the corporate world in management for Kellogg's® and Publix®.
Hoelzel holds Advanced National, Director of Coaching and Advanced National Goalkeeping Diplomas from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America as well as national licenses with the American Youth Soccer Organization and the United States Soccer Federation.
Hoelzel and his wife, Christine, have three daughters, Kayla, Carleigh and Kaycee.
Hoelzel who feels his job is to provide the best college experience he can for his players to make them better people, students and athletes; is enjoying his new residence and the community of Cuthbert and is looking forward to the upcoming GCAA season.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT KYLE HOELZEL
Scott Baker - Rowan University, Head Coach
"Kyle is an excellent coach and leader, but what separates him from other coaches the most is who he is as a person. Kyle has made a tremendous impact on many players off and on the field. I say off the field first, because for him that is the priority. I have been in this profession for over 20 years and if my daughters were college soccer players I would chose Kyle to be their coach. I am looking forward to watching and supporting all his success at Andrew College."
Bill D'Addio - Team Boca Blast (WPSL), General Manager
"Andrew College is fortunate to have found an experienced leader in Kyle Hoelzel. Kyle's dedication and passion will be missed by our players and coaching staff. We wish him all the best!"
Rocky Orezzoli - Team Boca, Girls' Director of Coaching
"We are happy for Coach Hoelzel in his new opportunity at Andrew College. Kyle has worked very hard at player development in various age groups during the past few seasons with Team Boca. We are sure his dedication to team development will lead to success in his new position."
Jim Cappello – Olympic Heights High School, Girls Head Varsity Coach
"Andrew College has made a fabulous hire in Kyle Hoelzel. He has the ability to get the most out of his players, and he has been successful with teams he has coached. Hoelzel is very committed and works tirelessly to developing programs to be something special and proud of. He is able to offer athletes an experience like no one else."