HPU Names Zach Haines New Men’s Soccer Head Coach
By Collin Giuliani// Sports Editor
On Feb. 12, High Point University announced that Zach Haines would be named the new head coach of the men’s soccer program. Haines becomes the fourth head coach in the Division I era in program history and takes over the position held by EJ O’Keeffe for the past four seasons.
“We are thrilled to announce Zach Haines as the new men’s soccer coach at High Point University,” said Athletic Director Dan Hauser. “Haines brings extensive championship coaching experience, as well as an outstanding national recruiting and player development track record. I have full confidence in his ability to continue building on the back-to-back conference championships and NCAA Tournament success at HPU.”
Haines spent 2018 with the University of Denver, serving as the assistant coach and the recruiting coordinator under head coach Jamie Franks. With Haines on the staff last season, the Pioneers went 15-4-2, winning the Summit League regular season title with a 4-0-1 record in conference play, and winning the Summit League Tournament after defeating Omaha 1-0 in the championship match. The win marked the fifth time in the last six seasons that Denver won the Summit League Tournament, and was the sixth straight season that Denver won at least a share of the regular season title. Denver ended up receiving a bye in the NCAA Tournament, hosting Air Force in the second round before losing 2-1.
“We are very happy for Haines and the HPU community,” said Franks. “Haines’ knowledge and passion for the game will be sorely missed. His love for the game is contagious and positively impacted the team and program during his time here. Haines’ ability to recruit, scout opponents, and on-field coaching helped us tremendously over the past year.”
Prior to joining Denver, Haines was on the coaching staff at UNCW from 2012-17 where he served as the associate head coach for the final two seasons of his tenure. In his final season with the Seahawks in 2017, Haines helped guide the program to an NCAA Tournament appearance, making it to the second round of the tournament before losing to North Carolina 2-1. Haines was also on the coaching staff at UNCW in 2014, when the program made the NCAA Tournament and defeated Bucknell 2-0 in the first round. UNCW has won three NCAA Tournament games in program history, and Haines was on the coaching staff for two of those wins, including the 2017 NCAA Tournament, when UNCW defeated Presbyterian 1-0 in the first round.
“Zach Haines is one of the brightest young coaches in the country,” said Aiden Heaney head coach at UNCW. “He is extremely knowledgeable, tactically astute, and will demand excellence from his players. He has high standards on and off the field and will challenge his players to be the best version of themselves that they can be. I am certain he will be building on their recent successes.”
Haines is a native of Jamestown who graduated from Southwest Guilford High School. He takes over an HPU program that made it to the NCAA Tournament last season for the first time in program history, and became the first team in school history across all sports to host a Division I NCAA Tournament game, when they hosted James Madison in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament in a 3-0 loss. Haines will coach the Panthers throughout their spring exhibition season as well, which started on Saturday against Appalachian State and will conclude on April 15 at home against Davidson.
“It is truly an honor and extra special for me to come back home, and be a part of this fantastic university and its commitment to excellence,” said Haines in his introductory press conference. “I look forward to the challenge of pushing this program to new heights- on the field, in the classroom, and with its service to the High Point community. A huge thank you to my family for supporting me throughout my career to follow my passion.”
Earlier this month, HPU announced that former Denver and UNCW assistant coach Zach Haines would be assuming the position as the next head coach of the HPU men’s soccer program. Photo by highpointpanthers.com