Kevin Wright has been named Ouachita’s head soccer coach effective March 19, according to Ouachita President Rex Horne and Athletic Director David Sharp. He succeeds Alex Denning who has accepted a position as head women’s soccer coach at Lubbock Christian University.
Wright has served since 2008 as head men’s soccer coach at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas. He previously served at Howard Payne as assistant coach for men’s and women’s soccer and was head men’s soccer coach and physical education teacher at Greenville High School.
Dr. Horne introduced Coach Wright during a meeting with Ouachita’s men’s and women’s soccer teams. Describing Wright as “the kind of guy who is going to do a great job and help take us to the next level,” Horne said the new coach “fully supports the mission and values we have here at Ouachita.”
According to Sharp, “We are very excited to have Coach Wright join our athletic staff and lead our soccer programs. He has a wealth of high school and college coaching experience. His knowledge of the game is evident along with the experience he has in recruiting young men and women to play college soccer.
“We appreciate the service Alex Denning gave to Ouachita in leading our men’s and women’s soccer programs,” Sharp added. “We wish him well at Lubbock Christian.”
Describing his new position as “a unique opportunity in a unique place,” Wright said he is excited about the opportunity to work with both the men’s and women’s soccer programs.
“Obviously, a foundation already is in place to have two successful programs,” he said. “We will be organized and disciplined and work hard to come in here and really build something special. We want those guys and girls to have a positive athletic and academic experience.”
Wright is a 2001 graduate of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor with a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise and sports science. As a soccer player at Mary Hardin-Baylor, he was co-captain his senior year.
While coaching at Greenville High School, he led his team to three district championships, was named District Coach of the Year three times and was selected to coach the Texas High School All-Star Game. At Howard Payne, an NCAA Division III school, he led the Yellow Jackets to two consecutive American Southwest Conference playoff appearances.
Wright and his wife, Melinda, have two children, Tavin and McKenna.
