JACKSON, Tennessee – Union University has named Josh Alford as the new women’s soccer head coach.
According to the office of Sports Communication, Alford comes to Union after working as the assistant coach for four seasons at the University of Northern Iowa.
Alford becomes the fourth head coach in program history and takes over for assistant coach, Anna Hardin. Hardin was named the interim head coach just weeks before the 2021 season when then head coach Scott Sinclair accepted another coaching job.
Union Director of Athletics, Tommy Sadler said, “We are delighted to have Coach Josh Alford to lead our women’s soccer program. He is a great fit for our mission and has a history of success on the soccer field.”
Alford said, “I am honored that President Oliver, Tommy Sadler, and the search committee chose me to lead the Union Women’s soccer team! I thank God and all of them for this opportunity. I aim to have a positive and successful impact on the program.”
While at Division I Northern Iowa, Alford played a key role in leading the Panthers to three Missouri Valley Conference tournament appearances in four years.
In 2016 and 2017, Alford worked as an assistant coach at Division II South Carolina Aiken. In the two seasons, he helped in rebuilding the program as the lead recruiter. Seven players earned Peach Pelt All-Academic honors.
Before the two positions as assistant coach at Northern Iowa and USC Aiken, Alford was the head coach at Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois. In his final six seasons at Parkland, he led the Cobras team to a 78-22-7 record and a top-15 national ranking. He led this team to back-to-back M-WAC Championships, boasting numerous NJCAA All-America and all-region honors from his squad. Alford was named the M-WAC Coach of the year in 2014 and 2015, while also taking home Region 24 Coach of the Year honors in 2011.
Student-athletes coached and trained by Alford have gone on to play at the D1, D2, D3, and NAIA levels. Some have also made the professional ranks.
Alford’s playing career included stops at Olivet Nazarene and Parkland College. From 2003-05 while at Parkland, he was named all-conference and all-region, while also being named an All-American contender. His career at Olivet Nazarene from 2005-07 included all-tournament team honors. In 2010, Alford was named to the M-WAC All-Decade First Team.
Alford is a graduate of Eastern Illinois with a degree in general students. He and his wife, Ricki, have a daughter, Nico Ella and two sons, Hawke and Caspian.
(PHOTO: Josh Alford)
