Harding University

Harding University Athletics
HU Box 12281 Searcy, AR 72149

Division 2 Arkansas South

Private Small Competitive team

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Jon Ireland

At Harding

Jon Ireland became Harding's fifth head men's soccer coach in 2016. He has a 50-47-13 record over his first seven seasons.

Coaching Highlights:

Has led Harding to a winning record in three seasons with nine wins or more.

Harding won the GAC regular season championship in 2017 and 2018 and won the GAC Tournament championship in 2016.

The 2016 team set a school record with 11 shutouts.

Ireland received GAC Coach of the Year honors in 2017.

In his seven seasons, Harding men’s soccer players have received: one All-America, one GAC Player of the Year, 21 All-Region, 30 All-GAC, 44 Academic All-GAC, 16 CoSIDA Academic All-District and one CoSIDA Academic All-America honor.

Before Harding

Ireland returned to Harding from York College where he was the head men’s coach from 2012-15. He led York to consecutive postseason berths and directed the team to its first winning season in 13 years.

Ireland was also the head coach of Lipscomb University’s women’s program from 2007-11. He had the most wins of any Lipscomb women’s soccer coach when he took the job with York.

Ireland’s first head coaching job was at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama. He was the women’s head coach in 2006 and led the team to its first winning season and its first postseason berth.

Following his career at Harding, Ireland was a volunteer assistant with the Harding men’s and women’s teams from 2002-05.

Ireland holds an NSCAA Level II goalkeeper diploma and a USSF National “B” coaching license. He has coached nine club teams to state championships and has coached in the Olympic Development Program for three years.

Playing Career

Ireland played soccer for Harding from 2000-02, scoring five goals and recording 12 assists in 32 career games. He earned All-Gulf South Conference and Academic All-GSC honors in 2002.

Education

Ireland graduated from Harding in May 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology.

Family

Ireland is married to the former Hailee Augsberger of Eureka, Illinois. The couple has three children: Finn, Pippa and Gemma.