COLLEGE PARK, Md. – University of Maryland women's soccer coach Jonathan Morgan has announced the hiring of Kevin Dempsey as the program's newest assistant coach. A native of Columbia, Md., Dempsey returns home after garnering more than two decades of collegiate coaching experience.

“I'm excited to announce Kevin Dempsey as our new assistant coach here at the University of Maryland,” Morgan said. “Kevin bring a tremendous amount of coaching experience along with vast recruiting ties both nationally and internationally.”

Widely respected as one of the top recruiters in college soccer, Dempsey spent the last five seasons as the assistant coach/recruiting coordinator at LSU. Dempsey regularly recruited top-15 signing classes at LSU, including the 7th-ranked class in 2013, according to TopDrawerSoccer.com.

“I'd like to thank Coach Morgan for the opportunity to join the program,” Dempsey said. “I'm really excited to be back in my home state and representing the University of Maryland and the women's soccer program. After meeting with the staff and players, I could sense a real buzz about the team and University. The future is really bright and I'm looking forward to getting started soon.”

Dempsey also coached multiple defenders to Southeastern Conference accolades, Allysha Chapman, the 2011 SEC Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-SEC selection.

“Kevin is a tireless worker and known in the profession as one of the best recruiters in the country,” Morgan said. “I think his passion for the game and genuine desire to see players develop individually excited me most. The passion he displays connects him so well with recruits and student-athletes.

“Our program and the athletic department as a whole are evolving to new levels every day, and bringing Kevin to Maryland during this exciting time makes the future of Maryland Women's Soccer look very promising.”

Dempsey joined the LSU program following an outstanding nine-year stint as the head coach at the College of Charleston, where he led the Cougars to an 86-70-22 overall record and a 54-32-8 mark in Southern Conference play. That included an overall record of 24-12-6 in his final two seasons.

The Cougars flourished in nine seasons under Dempsey's direction as they reached the postseason in each with nine appearances in the SoCon Tournament, including runner-up finishes in 2002 and 2009. The side earned 28 All-SoCon and All-SoCon Tournament selections under Dempsey.

Prior to his appointment at the College of Charleston, Dempsey served as the head coach of the women's program at Catawba College of NCAA Division II for seven seasons from 1994-2000 while compiling an overall record of 80-46-7, including a 34-13-3 mark in the South Atlantic Conference.

In all, Dempsey coached 10 NCAA Division II All-Americans, 17 All-South Region selections, four SAC Players of the Year and four SAC Freshmen of the Year during his seven-year tenure while the head coach at Catawba College.

Dempsey graduated from Catawba College in 1993 with a bachelor's degree in history. He and his wife, Krista, have a son named Jack.

Coaching Experience

Years, Capacity, School
1993-2001, Head Coach, Catawba College
2001-10, Head Coach, College of Charleston
2010-2015, Assistant Coach, LSU
2015-pres, Assistant Coach, Maryland

Head Coaching Records

Year, School, Record
1994, Catawba College, 12-5-2*
1995, Catawba College, 6-8-2
1996, Catawba College, 12-6-0
1997, Catawba College, 13-10-0*
1998, Catawba College, 13-6-1*
1999, Catawba College, 13-4-2*
2000, Catawba College, 11-7-0
2001, College of Charleston, 6-11-1
2002, College of Charleston, 9-9-3#
2003, College of Charleston, 11-7-2
2004, College of Charleston, 12-5-3
2005, College of Charleston, 7-9-2
2006, College of Charleston, 8-9-2
2007, College of Charleston, 9-8-3
2008, College of Charleston, 12-5-4
2009, College of Charleston, 12-7-2#
Total, 16 Years, 166-116-29

* - South Atlantic Conference Tournament Championship
# - Southern Conference Tournament Runner-Up