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CONTRIBUTED BY ETSU ATHLETICS

JOHNSON CITY – ETSU women’s soccer head coach Jay Yelton has finished his additions to his staff, hiring former Lee University head coach and brother Matt Yelton to take the reins as his assistant, joining graduate assistant and former ETSU standout defender Fiona Dodge.

“I’m very appreciative of the opportunity to have a chance to be the assistant women’s soccer coach at ETSU and I am excited to have the opportunity to work alongside Jay,” stated Yelton.

“I believe that Jay will lead the women’s soccer program to new heights and I just couldn’t pass on this chance for us to develop the women’s soccer program at ETSU into one of the top teams in the SoCon. I am also looking forward to getting back home to Johnson City and my wife and family are very excited about being back in our hometown.”

Yelton has spent the last year as the Vice President of Youth Soccer Operations and Senior Director of Coaching at the Chattanooga Red Wolves SC Academy, helping direct the “path to pro” philosophy for the Tennessee area.

Under his role, Yelton oversaw all coaches and directors for the youth academy, established curriculum for the academy and a development plan for players, developed sponsorships, partnerships, and other revenue-generating streams and coordinated and developed partnerships with national youth soccer leaders and organizations around the country.

After a successful stint at Lee, Yelton operated for four years as an executive director for Chattanooga FC, who operates in the National Independent Soccer Association.

Yelton spent 13 seasons at Lee University, becoming the most winningest coach, regardless of sport, in university history. During his time with the Lady Flames, Yelton directed his program to a 245-42-2 record, achieving an 85.1% winning percentage at the helm.

Lee won 11 conference championships with the leadership of Yelton, claiming four NAIA National Championships (2008-11) before transitioning to a Division II school.

Winning the 2014 National Christian College Athletic Association Championship, Yelton compiled a stellar 89-0-1 mark while in the Southern States Athletic Conference during their time as an NAIA member.

In the two years at the Division II level, Matt helped lead his team to an 18-2 record in the Gulf South Conference, unable to compete in postseason play having just moved up in classification.

Under Yelton’s tutelage, five Lady Flames have had their numbers retired within the program.

In his thirteen seasons, Matt coached the program goal-scoring leader Janaina Novaes (2004-07), the NAIA all-time assist leader in Jamie Achten (2008-11) and second-most clean sheets in NAIA Cait Wohlander (2003-06).

While at the helm, the Lady Flames set program records that remain to this day; including a 21-game winning streak, a 28-game home winning streak, an 84-game conference win streak, and a 99-game conference unbeaten streak.

Yelton opened his coaching career at his alma mater King University in 1997. Under the four-year guidance, King produced a 54-40-5 record.

Before his days as a coach, Yelton spent his collegiate years playing for King University from 1992-95. Matt received his master’s degree at ETSU in 2002 in English language and literature.