Tennant McVea returns to the Monarch coaching staff for the 2017 season after spending the 2016 season as an assistant coach with Elon University and the Phoenix men’s soccer program. While at Elon, McVea helped the Phoenix to a 7-6-4 record 3-2-3 in the CAA and coached Elijah Agu to an NSCAA All-Region Second-Team nod.
McVea served as an assistant for three years at ODU, helping lead the Monarchs to two NCAA appearances and a Conference USA Championship in 2014. In 2013, McVea served as a volunteer assistant coach, before being promoted to assistant coach in 2014.
Prior to ODU, McVea served as the club coach for the U15 and U17 teams at Beach FC. In 2011, McVea served as assistant coach with the Northern Ireland Schools Football Association in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He also coached the U15 and U17 squads for the FC Fredericksburg Gunners in 2008-09.
Before beginning his coaching tenure, McVea excelled on the pitch. He was captain for the Norfolk Sharx of the MISL in 2012 and, in 2010-11, he served as club captain for FC Lahti, a professional team in Finland.
McVea played his college ball at Loyola University Maryland, where he was a 2008 NSCAA First Team All-American and a three-time NSCAA Regional All-American. In 2009, he was a finalist for the Lowe’s Senior Class Award.
He graduated from Loyola with a degree in advertising and public relations and a minor in general business in 2009.