NORFOLK, Va. โ Old Dominion University women's soccer coach Angie Hinde announced Tuesday the hiring of Zach Hanson as an assistant coach to her coaching staff for 2024. Hanson previously coached at Eastern Kentucky University and VMI and most recently served as women's academy director at Skyline Elite SC in Charlottesville, Virginia.
“We are excited to have Zach join our staff and ultimately become part of our family. He already has extensive experience working with two other D1 programs and is also involved in club soccer, so we feel he has the right connections to continue to move this program forward. Right now, it's really important for us to continue to surround our athletes with people who are passionate about soccer, and ODU women's soccer, and Zach really feels that way. He will be a great addition to our coaching team and I look forward to seeing the positive impact he has on both the recruiting and on-field success of the program,” Hinde said.
Hanson spent the 2021-2022 season as an assistant coach for VMI women's soccer. Hanson was responsible for multiple areas of responsibility and made a major impact, especially on the offensive side of the program, helping the team double its scoring output from the previous season.
From June 2022 to January 2024, Hanson served as the assistant women's soccer coach and recruiting coordinator at Eastern Kentucky University where she helped transform the possession game model. Hanson was key in building the most decorated 2024 freshman class in EKU history with three United Soccer Coaches All-American award winners.
In the fall of 2022 at EKU, Hanson was recognized for his coaching talents when he was selected to the United Soccer Coaches 30 Under 30 class and participated in a year-long coach education and mentorship program.
He also served on the Girls Academy staff at Lexington (Kentucky) Sporting Club of USL League One and USL Super League, coaching the Girls Academy League team and serving as the Skills Acquisition Phase Director during that time.
Hanson most recently served as the women's academy director at Skyline Elite SC in Charlottesville, Va. His role included leading and directing all aspects of the club, including player recruiting, roster management, on-field practices and competitions.
Hanson holds a USC Premier Diploma and is currently finalizing his USSF B License. He will also be speaking at the United Soccer Coaches Convention in Anaheim in January 2024.
“I am extremely excited and grateful to be joining the Old Dominion women's soccer program. It's not every day you get the opportunity to join such a successful program and work with such a talented and experienced staff. When I first got on campus and had the chance to interact with the players, it was clear to see why they are so successful on and off the field. This culture is special and I can't wait to step in and continue to move the program forward,” Hanson said.