Jonathan Potter is entering his second season as head coach of the Presbyterian College men’s soccer team in 2017.
In his first year at the helm, Potter guided the Blue Hose to a 7-10-3 overall record with a 4-4 mark in conference play. The seven wins marked the third biggest turnaround last season in NCAA DI and is the most wins in a season in program history. The No. 5 seed in the Big South Championship, PC upset fourth-seeded Liberty 2-1 on November 6 for the program’s first ever victory in the conference tournament. The Blue Hose faced top-seeded Radford in the program’s first-ever semifinal appearance, falling to the Highlanders on penalty kicks after playing to a 1-1 draw in regulation. Potter saw four players earn annual awards, to include a pair making Second Team All-Big South, one Honorable Mention and an All-Freshman honoree.
Prior to PC, Potter spent five seasons at Elon as an assistant coach where he helped the Phoenix win five conference championships and several NCAA Tournament appearances, including advancing to the second round in 2013 and 2015.
Before coaching at Elon, Potter was an assistant with the Carolina Dynamo of the Premier Development League (PDL).
A four-year starter at Chowan, Potter appeared in all but one match during his career. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education with a concentration in sport management and a minor in business administration. He earned his master’s degree in athletic coaching education from West Virginia University in 2012.
In 2009 he trained with a professional team in Argentina and prior to that, played in the United Soccer League with a Northern Virginia Royals’ super-20 team that reached the 2008 North American finals.
Potter is married to the former Melissa Cochran of Macon, Ga.