George Kiefer Named NSCAA South Region Coach of the Year
December 19, 2005 | Men's Soccer
TAMPA, Fla. (Monday, December 19) ? University of South Florida men's soccer head coach George Kiefer was named the NSCAA South Region Coach of the Year after leading the Bulls to a 13-6-2 record and the team's first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2001.
A native of Bay Shore, N.Y., Kiefer was named USF's head coach on June 21, 2002, becoming the program's sixth coach in its 40-year history. Following the 2005 season, Kiefer has compiled a 41-26-7 record in four years at USF. He has led the Bulls to three seasons of 10-or-more wins and a 24-6-4 record at home. Under Kiefer the Bulls have faced 17 ranked opponents, registering a 9-7-2 record versus the nation's elite. For three consecutive seasons, his recruiting classes have ranked among the nation's best, including this season's (No. 12 by “College Soccer News”).
The 2005 season proved to be the most successful to date for USF under Kiefer. The 13 wins produced by this year's squad were the most since the 2001 season. In its first year in BIG EAST action, USF finished with a conference-best 9-2 record, leading the Bulls to the BIG EAST Red Division title. The Bulls were runners-up to the Connecticut Huskies in the BIG EAST Tournament. USF finished the season riding a 10-game winning streak at home - the most since a 12-game winning streak that extended from the end of the 1982 season to the beginning of the 1983 season. The 10-striaght home wins in a single season are the most in school history. The Bulls broke the school record for conference victories (9). Six players earned 31 accolades during the 2005 season. After dropping three of its first four contests, USF closed out the 2005 regular season winning 10 of its last 12 games.
Kiefer assembled one of the most potent offenses in not only the BIG EAST but the nation. In 2005, USF recorded 44 goals and 54 assists for 142 points. The offensive output by this year's squad was the most by any team coached under Kiefer. Kiefer's squad kept the pressure on its opponents, outshooting the opposition 322-242.
Kiefer guided USF's return the NCAA Tournament for the first time in five years. The Bulls hosted Stetson in the first NCAA Tournament game held at the USF Soccer Stadium since 1998, defeating the Hatters, 3-0. The Bulls then traveled to Charlottesville, Va., to face the Virginia Cavaliers in the second round, scoring a school-record for goals in the NCAA Tournament match with four, only to be eliminated in a penalty kick shootout, 7-6.
With only two seniors on the roster entering the 2005 season, Kiefer coached a team which at time had as many as seven freshmen on the field at one time.
Kiefer becomes the first head coach in USF history to earn this honor.
