Hindson returns to the Eagles after a 12 season absence as he returns after spending the last six seasons as head coach of the UNC Pembroke men's soccer program.   "I would like to thank Dan for affording me the opportunity to come back to Winthrop," said Hindson. "I am very excited to work with him moving forward. My wife and I are very happy to return to the Rock Hill area. A special mention should be given to Rich Posipanko for all of his friendship and support over the years. I can't wait to get started and hope we can build on all of the success Rich and Dan have brought the program over many years."   "We were fortunate to have a very good group of candidates for the position and Phil has the experience and background to help us to continue to move forward in a positive direction," said Ridenhour, who assumed the head coaching duties at the start of the year. "He is someone that will help us in all phases of the program. The team and I are excited to welcome Phil and his family back to Rock Hill."   During his six seasons with the Braves, he won 47 games while leading them to the program's third best finish (NCAA Div. II era) with 12 wins and a berth into the NCAA Tournament. That season the Braves advance to the second round of the tournament with a 3-2 win over Mars Hill before being eliminated on penalties against Flagler, 4-2. It was the first time in 10 years the program had advanced in the NCAA Tournament The 2012 team finished 5 th in the Peach Belt Conference, which is arguably one of the top NCAA Div. II leagues. In 2012 and 2013 the Braves were nationally ranked.   Under Hindson's guidance the program had two CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, a PBC Freshman of the Year, a Golden Ball Winner, PBC Player of the Year, two Daktronics All-Region and NSCAA All-Region players, 10 NCCSIA All-State players, six All-PBC players, six PBC All-Tournament players, two PBC All-Preseason players, 10 PBC Players of the Week, 15 PBC All-Academic Team players and the team garnered a sportsmanship award in 2011.   Hindson left Winthrop for an assistant coaching job at Clemson for the 2004 season. He spent five years as an assistant and was the interim head coach of the Tigers in 2009 before leaving for UNC Pembroke following the season. In 2009 he led the Tigers to a road win at 8 th -ranked and eventual national champion Virginia on Sept. 26, 2009. During his six seasons, including the one as interim coach, Clemson posted 56 wins, advanced to the Final Four in 2005 and the Sweet 16 in 2006. In 2005 the Tigers had a final ranking of 3 rd in the nation.    In 2000 Hindson joined former Winthrop head coach Rich Posipanko's staff as an assistant coach and helped the program to a record of 47-28-5 during that time. He was part of the program's first ever Big South Conference Championship when the Eagles defeated 13 th -ranked Coastal Carolina in the final, 1-0 in overtime. That season the Eagles reached a school record for wins (15) since its move to the NCAA Div. I level.   Hindson enjoyed a successful career at William Carey as a player as he holds several records after a career of 54 goals and 22 assists for 130 points in his three seasons. He was a three-time all-conference selection as well as being named all-region and earned all-america honors in 1995. He graduated from William Carey in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in physical education and earned his master's in physical education from Winthrop in 2005. In 2011 he was a member of the Inaugural Hall of Fame Induction Class at William Carey.   Hindson and his wife Liz along with their daughter Sophia and son Connor will reside in Rock Hill.