Courtesy of GSU Athletic Communications
Grambling State University Women's Soccer Head Coach Justin Wagar The team announced the hiring of Omar Anderson as associate head coach.
Omar comes to GSU after spending the past eight years as head coach of the Columbia Basin College women's team, including winning the Northwest Community College title this fall.
“We are pleased to have Omar join our staff as associate head coach,” Wagar said. “He brings the experience and knowledge of a proven winner that will further strengthen our program here at GSU.”
Anderson is originally from Kingston, Jamaica, but moved to Alaska at the age of 16 and played for Cook Inlet Soccer Club, East Anchorage High School, and Alaska ODP before signing after high school to play for Peninsula College in Port Angeles, Washington for the 2008-09 season.
Anderson then joined the Peninsula College coaching staff in 2010 to assist both the men's and women's programs. During his time on the Peninsula College coaching staff from 2010-2015, the men's soccer program won four Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) championships (2010, 2012, 2013, 2015) and the women's soccer program won two NWAC championships (2012, 2013) and was runner-up in 2011 and 2014. Anderson was inducted into the NWAC Hall of Fame along with the men's soccer players and coaching staff in 2012 and 2013 for their back-to-back championships.
Anderson was hired as the head coach of Columbia Basin College women's soccer in 2016 and quickly elevated the program to a title contender. In his eight years at CBC, he has a career record of 85 wins, 31 losses, and 24 ties (.610%) and the program has produced 30 All-Region players, one East Region MVP, and a 2023 NWAC Championship MVP. He was named the NWAC East Region Coach of the Year in 2018 and 2022 and was named the NWAC Women's Soccer Coach of the Year in 2023 following CBC's NWAC Championship run. In addition to the 2023 championship, his teams also advanced to the NWAC Final Four in 2021 and 2022. CBC's 2023 NWAC Championship was the program's first championship since 2008. At the time of Anderson's departure, the Hawks were ranked No. 2 nationally in the United Soccer Coaches Junior College Poll (DII).
During his time at Columbia Basin College, Anderson was also active in youth club soccer, serving on the technical staff for Three Rivers Soccer Club in Tri-Cities, Washington, as well as serving as head coach for various boys and girls premier level teams from U13-U19. At the club level in 2022, his 3RSC GU19 Black team won the Washington Youth Soccer State Championship, the USYS Far West Regional and advanced to the semi-finals at the USYS National Championship. In addition to his club duties, Anderson also served as head coach for Eastern Washington Elite Player Development (Olympic Development Program) from 2016-2020.
Anderson currently holds a USSF “B” License and in his free time enjoys watching soccer, traveling and spending time with his family.
“I am truly honored and excited to be a part of this university,” Anderson said. “I look forward to working with Coach Wagar. Our student-athletes compete at the highest level and continue to strive for excellence on and off the field, and I want to thank Coach. Justin Wagar I would also like to thank the Grambling State University Athletic Department for the opportunity to represent a historic university that provides the highest level of education and athletic experience for its student-athletes.”