ASU soccer has hired Graham Winkworth as its new head coach, the team announced Tuesday.
Winkworth, who previously coached four seasons at South Alabama, was a two-time Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year and lead his team to a 66-18-7 record from 2013-16. He will be replacing Kevin Boyd at ASU, who finished last season 6-11-2 (1-9-1 Pac-12). In Boyd's 10 years as head coach, he recorded an overall record of 90-85-23.
Under Winkworth's tutelage, South Alabama earned four consecutive Sun Belt Tournament titles and NCAA Tournament appearances.
Welcome to the Sun Devil Family, Graham Winkworth! https://t.co/IV3DNuaGYp pic.twitter.com/W8jUvzvWc3
— Sun Devil Soccer (@ASUSoccer) November 29, 2016
Vice President for University Athletics and Athletics Director Ray Anderson said Winkworth "has a proven track record of results at every level of the sport and we are excited to bring someone with his degree of skill and expertise into the competitive Pac-12 Conference. Graham's vision for the program and his ability to recruit, both domestically and internationally, fit perfectly with the collective vision of Arizona State University and Sun Devil Athletics."
Prior to coaching at South Alabama, Winkworth was with North Alabama University for 10 seasons, winning 111 games – the most for a coach in school history. Under his guidance he produced the program's first two All-Americans and brought the Lions to their first NCAA postseason appearance.
"I first would like to thank President Crow for providing me the opportunity to work at this prestigious University," Winkworth said in a statement. "I would also like to thank Mr. Anderson for showing the faith in me to lead the soccer program and belief in the goals we have set for the future of the program.
"Additionally, I'd like to thank Scottie Graham and Don Bocchi along with the rest of the search committee. They have shown me what it means to be a Sun Devil and to be a part of this family. I cannot wait to meet the student-athletes that make this program special and have the opportunity to coach them day in and day out."
Reach the reporter at kcvalen1@asu.edu or follow @kvalenzuela17 on Twitter.
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