University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss Names Scott Ebke Head Women's Soccer Coach
6/30/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
June 30, 2008
HATTIESBURG, Miss - University of Southern Mississippi Director of Athletics Richard Giannini announced today the hiring of Scott Ebke as the fourth women's soccer coach in the programs 12 year history. The hiring is subject to approval by the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.
Ebke (pronounced Eb-Key) joins the Golden Eagles from Iowa State where he served several positions in his five seasons with the Cyclones, most recently as Interim Head Coach.
"Scott has great NCAA Division I experience, comes with tremendous recommendations and hit a home run with our search committee." Giannini said. "We were extremely pleased with the pool of talent that applied for the position."
Ebke replaces Gail Macklin, who resigned her position after four seasons as head coach last April, to return to her home country of Northern Ireland.
"First off I would like to thank the entire search committee, Athletics Director Richard Giannini and Senior Women's Administrator Soyna Varnell for having confidence in my ability to lead the Golden Eagle soccer program to the next level," Ebke said. "It is an honor and a privilege to lead this program and a group of young ladies who have a great passion to improve and become the best team we can be."
Ebke enters his 12th year of collegiate coaching overall in 2008. He has previously coached at Mississippi State and Nebraska before joining the Iowa State program in the spring of 2003.
He played a significant part of the Cyclone soccer program's rise to national notoriety in recent years. His work as a coach and recruiter was a major factor in ISU's first-ever NCAA Tournament berth in 2005.
At Iowa State, Ebke played a key role in the on-the-field and academic development of Cyclone student-athletes.
In 2007, the Cyclones surrendered only 18 goals on the season, the fewest in school history and two players earned All- Big 12 honors. In the classroom, eight players earned Academic All- Big 12 and two players were selected Academic All- District by COSIDA/ESPN the Magazine.
He was also instrumental in recruiting efforts that brought in a nationally recognized recruiting class in 2006.
In addition to his on field duties, Ebke served as assistant recruiting coordinator and camp coordinator. He also oversaw scouting, equipment and strength and conditioning, as well as video breakdown of the Cyclones and their opponents.
Ebke spent the 2000-02 seasons as an assistant coach at Mississippi State. The Bulldogs captured the Southeastern Conference West Division title in 2001, earning the first conference title by any women's program at Mississippi State. The team had two players named to the All-SEC team as well.
Before his stint at MSU, Ebke served as a student and volunteer assistant coach at the University of Nebraska for three seasons. The Cornhuskers advanced to the NCAA Tournament and Big 12 Tournament each season.
"Scott brings a coaching resume of being with winning programs at the Division I level and he has all the qualities we were searching for in a head coach," Varnell said. "By all accounts he is a solid young man who has the blue collar work ethic to continue the success he has become accustomed too, which will assist us in building one of the top soccer teams in Conference USA. I am excited about the future of the soccer program, and to have Scott as part of the Southern Miss family."
Ebke earned a bachelor's degree in communication studies from Nebraska in 1999. He is accredited with a "B" coaching license from the United States Soccer Federation, a goalkeeping license from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and is a NSCAA member.
Ebke and his wife, Jennifer, have one daughter, Mckinleigh (22 months). Jennifer is a native of Brandon, Miss.
"My family and I are truly excited to return to the state of Mississippi where a large population of our friends and family still reside."
Ebke and his new Golden Eagle team will open the 2008 season on August 24 at South Alabama.
EBKE QUICK FACTS:Professional Playing Experience:1997- 1998- Lincoln Brigade Professional Soccer Club USISLEducation:Graduated from University of Nebraska- Lincoln with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies in 1999Coaching Experience:Iowa State University Women's Soccer Team 2007-08 Interim Head Coach 2006-07 Associate Head Coach 2003-06 Assistant Head CoachMississippi State University Women's Soccer Team 2000-2003 Assistant CoachUniversity of Nebraska- Lincoln 1998-2000 Student Assistant 1997-98 Volunteer AssistantPostseason Experience:2007 Big 12 Tournament - Associate Head Coach- Iowa State2005 NCAA Tournament - Assistant Head Coach- Iowa State2005 Big 12 Tournament - Assistant Head Coach- Iowa State2004 Big 12 Tournament - Assistant Head Coach- Iowa State2001 SEC Tournament - Assistant Head Coach - Mississippi State1999 NCAA Tournament - Student Assistant- Nebraska1999 Big 12 Tournament -Student Assistant- Nebraska1998 NCAA Tournament - Student Assistant- Nebraska1998 Big 12 Tournament -Student Assistant- Nebraska1997 NCAA Tournament - Volunteer Assistant Coach- Nebraska1997 Big 12 Tournament - Volunteer Assistant Coach - Nebraska-southernmiss.com-
