Kyle Gookins was named as men’s soccer head coach in December, 2016.
The 2014 NSCAA Southeast Regional Assistant Coach of the Year, Gookins has spent the last nine seasons at Charlotte, helping the 49ers to a combined 125-43-25 (.712) record, seven NCAA Tournament appearances, five total conference championships and one NCAA College Cup final, in 2011. Gookins is a 2004 graduate of Cal State Bakersfield, from where he also earned a Master’s degree in 2008. In addition to his incredible on-field success with the 49ers, Gookins coached and/or recruited four Freshman All-Americans, six Academic All-Americans, three NSCAA All-Americans and 22 all-region players at Charlotte. Eleven of his former players at Charlotte are currently playing in the professional ranks.
The 49ers were 12-4-2 overall in 2016 and reached the NCAA Tournament first round, where they lost to Virginia Tech. With Gookins on staff, Charlotte advanced the NCAA Tournament in 2009, and 2011 through 2016.
Gookins is Stetson’s fourth coach in five years, and the Lancaster, Calif., native knows how important it is to provide the Hatters with some stability and leadership. And he plans on putting together an exciting on-field product in the process.
Gookins began his collegiate coaching career at his alma mater, spending two years (2006-08) as an assistant coach with the Roadrunners before moving on to Charlotte.
Gookins has been active in developing youth-level players as well, having spent the 18 months as a staff coach of the Carolina Rapids and coaching U14, U16 and U18 USSDA teams. He also spent the last several years serving as a scout for the U.S. Youth National Teams.