George Kiefer Named NC State Men’s Soccer Head Coach
11/22/2016 3:25:00 PM | Men's Soccer
New Wolfpack coach directed USF to 10 NCAA Tournaments, including two Elite Eights and a Sweet Sixteen
RALEIGH – NC State Director of Athletics Deborah A. Yow has set a new foundation for the Wolfpack men's soccer program, announcing George Kiefer as new head coach.
"George has had considerable success on every level, building a perennial power at USF, while winning national championships as a player and as an assistant coach," said Yow. "NC State has hired one of the best respected college soccer coaches in the nation. I would like to thank Senior Associate Athletic Director Raymond Harrison and the search committee for their diligent work. We welcome George, his wife Lauren, and their children, Kendall, Jack and Max to the Wolfpack Family."
Kiefer's background includes serving as an assistant on two national championship squads, while also winning two national titles as a player.
He just completed his 15th season at the helm of the University of South Florida (USF) men's soccer program, earning his 10th NCAA Tournament berth, while leading the Bulls to the American Athletic Conference league crown. USF qualified for the postseason in nine of his final 10 seasons.
The Bay Shore, N.Y., native posted a 162-86-51 record while in charge of the Bulls and earned NSCAA Regional Coach of the Year honors in 2015 and 2005. Kiefer helped lead USF past the first round of the NCAA Tournament on six occasions, twice making it to the competition's quarterfinal (Elite Eight) round.
During his 15 seasons in Tampa, Kiefer led the Bulls to an impressive 104-27-23 record in home matches and at one point guided his squad to the nation's longest home unbeaten streak, a stretch of 30 matches. Under Kiefer, USF faced 66 ranked opponents, registering a 29-26-11 record against some of the nation's top teams.
Helping USF become one of the top programs in the nation, Kiefer led his teams to a pair of BIG EAST division titles in 2005 and 2011, a BIG EAST Tournament title in 2008, and an American Athletic Conference Tournament championship in 2013.
"I first would like to personally thank Debbie Yow for trusting me to be the next men's soccer coach at NC State'" said Kiefer. "I really enjoyed the process with Raymond Harrison learning about the inner workings of NC State both academically and athletically.
"As a coach you always have people who impact your career and I would like to thank Coach Ray Reid for instilling in me at a young age a drive to relentlessly pursue helping players become the best they can be. I have been very fortunate over the past 15 years to coach a diverse population of student-athletes at USF and each and every one of them has played a role in the opportunity opening up for me. I look forward to the journey with the new group of players at NC State and the added excitement of ACC soccer."
Under Kiefer's leadership, multiple former USF players moved on to the professional ranks. The Bulls had 20 players selected in the MLS Draft, including recent first-round picks Dom Dwyer (Sporting KC – 2011) and Ben Sweat (Columbus Crew – 2014).
Prior to his time in Tampa, Kiefer was an assistant coach at the University of Connecticut (1997-2002) and Southern Connecticut State University (1995-96). During his time at UConn, the Huskies qualified for four NCAA Tournaments, two College Cups, and were national champions during the 2000 season.
Kiefer played professionally for the Connecticut Wolves (USISL) from 1994-95 and played collegiate soccer for SCSU from 1990-93, helping lead the Owls to two NCAA national championships and four straight New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) championships. He earned his bachelor's degree in Corporate Communications in 1994 and his master's in Physical Education in 1997, both from SCSU.
The Kiefer File
As a Head Coach…
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 10
Conference Titles: 5 (2013 and 2016 American Athletic Conference; 2005 and 2011 Big East Regular Season Conference Champions, and 2008 Big East Champions)
As an Assistant…
NCAA Appearances: 6
National Championships: 2
Conference Titles: 4 (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 Big East Champions)
What They Are Saying About George Kiefer…
Tab Ramos, NC State Men's Soccer Alum and Hall of Famer
"I would like to congratulate NC State and Debbie Yow for the extensive search conducted to find our new men's soccer head coach. Coach Kiefer is an established name and leader and someone who will be fully committed to the NC State student-athletes, our community and to taking NC State to the top of the ACC and the nation."
Ray Reid, head coach, University of Connecticut
"NC State made a tremendous hire and the absolute right choice. Period. George will work very hard and make NC State among the ACC's and nation's best."
Curt Johnson, President and General Manager, Carolina Railhawks and NC State alum
"As a proud member of the Wolfpack soccer family, I want to welcome George Kiefer to Raleigh. He is a talented and respected head coach and has had a high level of success throughout his coaching career. I look forward to supporting George and the Wolfpack throughout the 2017 NC State soccer season."
Jeffrey Hathaway, Director of Athletics, Hofstra University (Former Director of Athletics University of Connecticut)
"George is a very successful head coach, tremendous recruiter and certainly has high expectations for the academic success of his students. Along with being an outstanding coach, he is a quality person with a tireless work ethic and will represent the Wolfpack in a first class manner. NC State has made an excellent hire in bringing Coach Kiefer to Raleigh."
"George has had considerable success on every level, building a perennial power at USF, while winning national championships as a player and as an assistant coach," said Yow. "NC State has hired one of the best respected college soccer coaches in the nation. I would like to thank Senior Associate Athletic Director Raymond Harrison and the search committee for their diligent work. We welcome George, his wife Lauren, and their children, Kendall, Jack and Max to the Wolfpack Family."
Kiefer's background includes serving as an assistant on two national championship squads, while also winning two national titles as a player.
He just completed his 15th season at the helm of the University of South Florida (USF) men's soccer program, earning his 10th NCAA Tournament berth, while leading the Bulls to the American Athletic Conference league crown. USF qualified for the postseason in nine of his final 10 seasons.
The Bay Shore, N.Y., native posted a 162-86-51 record while in charge of the Bulls and earned NSCAA Regional Coach of the Year honors in 2015 and 2005. Kiefer helped lead USF past the first round of the NCAA Tournament on six occasions, twice making it to the competition's quarterfinal (Elite Eight) round.
During his 15 seasons in Tampa, Kiefer led the Bulls to an impressive 104-27-23 record in home matches and at one point guided his squad to the nation's longest home unbeaten streak, a stretch of 30 matches. Under Kiefer, USF faced 66 ranked opponents, registering a 29-26-11 record against some of the nation's top teams.
Helping USF become one of the top programs in the nation, Kiefer led his teams to a pair of BIG EAST division titles in 2005 and 2011, a BIG EAST Tournament title in 2008, and an American Athletic Conference Tournament championship in 2013.
"I first would like to personally thank Debbie Yow for trusting me to be the next men's soccer coach at NC State'" said Kiefer. "I really enjoyed the process with Raymond Harrison learning about the inner workings of NC State both academically and athletically.
"As a coach you always have people who impact your career and I would like to thank Coach Ray Reid for instilling in me at a young age a drive to relentlessly pursue helping players become the best they can be. I have been very fortunate over the past 15 years to coach a diverse population of student-athletes at USF and each and every one of them has played a role in the opportunity opening up for me. I look forward to the journey with the new group of players at NC State and the added excitement of ACC soccer."
Under Kiefer's leadership, multiple former USF players moved on to the professional ranks. The Bulls had 20 players selected in the MLS Draft, including recent first-round picks Dom Dwyer (Sporting KC – 2011) and Ben Sweat (Columbus Crew – 2014).
Prior to his time in Tampa, Kiefer was an assistant coach at the University of Connecticut (1997-2002) and Southern Connecticut State University (1995-96). During his time at UConn, the Huskies qualified for four NCAA Tournaments, two College Cups, and were national champions during the 2000 season.
Kiefer played professionally for the Connecticut Wolves (USISL) from 1994-95 and played collegiate soccer for SCSU from 1990-93, helping lead the Owls to two NCAA national championships and four straight New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) championships. He earned his bachelor's degree in Corporate Communications in 1994 and his master's in Physical Education in 1997, both from SCSU.
The Kiefer File
As a Head Coach…
| Year | School | Record | Postseason |
| 2002 | USF | 11-7 | -- |
| 2003 | USF | 7-8-3 | -- |
| 2004 | USF | 10-5-2 | -- |
| 2005 | USF | 13-6-2 | NCAA Second Round |
| 2006 | USF | 9-6-4 | -- |
| 2007 | USF | 14-6-2 | NCAA Third Round (Sweet Sixteen) |
| 2008 | USF | 15-5-3 | NCAA Fourth Round (Elite Eight) |
| 2009 | USF | 14-4-3 | NCAA Second Round |
| 2010 | USF | 9-6-4 | NCAA First Round |
| 2011 | USF | 13-4-4 | NCAA Fourth Round (Elite Eight) |
| 2012 | USF | 8-6-5 | NCAA Second Round |
| 2013 | USF | 8-4-9 | NCAA First Round |
| 2014 | USF | 10-7-3 | -- |
| 2015 | USF | 11-6-3 | NCAA Second Round |
| 2016 | USF | 10-6-4 | NCAA First Round |
| Overall | 162-86-51 |
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 10
Conference Titles: 5 (2013 and 2016 American Athletic Conference; 2005 and 2011 Big East Regular Season Conference Champions, and 2008 Big East Champions)
As an Assistant…
| Year | School | Record | Postseason |
| 1995 | SCSU | 21-1-1 | NCAA Division II National Champion |
| 1996 | SCSU | 20-1-1 | NCAA Division II Final Four |
| 1997 | UConn | 11-7-2 | NCAA First Round |
| 1998 | UConn | 17-4-0 | -- |
| 1999 | UConn | 19-5 | NCAA College Cup |
| 2000 | UConn | 20-3-2 | NCAA Champions |
| 2001 | UConn | 15-5-2 | NCAA Second Round |
| Overall | 123-26-8 |
NCAA Appearances: 6
National Championships: 2
Conference Titles: 4 (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 Big East Champions)
What They Are Saying About George Kiefer…
Tab Ramos, NC State Men's Soccer Alum and Hall of Famer
"I would like to congratulate NC State and Debbie Yow for the extensive search conducted to find our new men's soccer head coach. Coach Kiefer is an established name and leader and someone who will be fully committed to the NC State student-athletes, our community and to taking NC State to the top of the ACC and the nation."
Ray Reid, head coach, University of Connecticut
"NC State made a tremendous hire and the absolute right choice. Period. George will work very hard and make NC State among the ACC's and nation's best."
Curt Johnson, President and General Manager, Carolina Railhawks and NC State alum
"As a proud member of the Wolfpack soccer family, I want to welcome George Kiefer to Raleigh. He is a talented and respected head coach and has had a high level of success throughout his coaching career. I look forward to supporting George and the Wolfpack throughout the 2017 NC State soccer season."
Jeffrey Hathaway, Director of Athletics, Hofstra University (Former Director of Athletics University of Connecticut)
"George is a very successful head coach, tremendous recruiter and certainly has high expectations for the academic success of his students. Along with being an outstanding coach, he is a quality person with a tireless work ethic and will represent the Wolfpack in a first class manner. NC State has made an excellent hire in bringing Coach Kiefer to Raleigh."
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