Union University

Union University Athletic Department
1050 Union University Drive Jackson, TN 38305

Division 2 Tennessee Southeast

Private Small National competitor

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Coaches

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Steven Cox

Steven Cox is entering his seventh season as head coach for Union. He joined Union University as the third head coach in program history in February of 2017. Cox comes to Union after spending six years as the assistant coach at North Carolina State University. His career coaching record, all at Union, is 33-45-8 (.430).

Early in the 2021 fall season, the fifth season for Cox, his team opened the season ranked No. 16 in the preseason poll, and then moved up to No. 8 in the third poll of the season. The No. 8 ranking marked the highest ranking in program history. The team finished 6-6-3 after the fast start.

In 2020's season, moved to the spring of 2021 due to COVID, Cox led Union to the GSC Spring Championships Series Title. Union finished 6-1, closing out the season on a 5-match winning streak including sweep through the tournament. Union close out the year ranked No. 10 in the nation.

In his third season, Union was 8-8, finishing 8th in the GSC and reaching the GSC Tournament for the first time in program history. In Cox's three years at Union his win totals have increased each season.

In his six seasons as assistant for the division I Wolfpack, Cox was involved in numerous duties that will help transition into a head coaching position. His duties at NC State included training, recruiting, budget management, camps, community events, team travel, scouting, match analysis, equipment and player meetings. Cox was a key part in helping the Wolfpack have five top-40 division I recruiting classes in his six years as assistant coach. The 2014 class was No. 5 in the nation according to College Soccer News. Nine of Cox’s players moved on to play professionally, including two that were drafted in the 2015 MLS draft. As the Wolfpack Soccer Camp Director, the camps increased in attendance by 37 percent. In addition to his field credentials, Cox also expects excellence in the classroom, as proven by his teams’ five NSCAA Team Academic Awards earned during his six years.

Prior to his time at NC State, Cox spent two years as the assistant coach at Butler University. During his time as assistant, Butler earned NCAA Tournament top-16 seeds in 2009 and 2010, after winning the Horizon League Championship in the same seasons. Butler earned NSCAA national rankings in 2008, 2009 and 2010 including being No. 5 in the final poll of 2010. He coached two NSCAA All-Americans and two first team Academic All-Americans. Cox was key in getting top-40 recruiting classes and having both teams earn NSCAA Team Academic Awards during both seasons at Butler. Cox also coached two players drafted from Butler in the MLS Draft.

Cox has numerous coaching experience outside of college. He spent three years (2014-17) as the head coach of the CASL Soccer Club which played in the premier soccer league in North Carolina. He spent three years as the Noblesville United Soccer Club Assistant Club Director (2008-10). Cox was the head coach of the ODP State Team for three years (2008-10).

Cox holds several coaching licenses including the USSF B Coaching License, the USSF National Goalkeeping License and spent three years working with the Missionary Athletes International. While with MAI, he co-led mission trips, served as camp director, fund raised and led small group discipleship meetings with athletes.

Cox is a 2005 graduate of Houghton College where he holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He is just six hours shy of completing his master’s degree in sports ministry from Trinity International University. He spent two years as assistant coach while at Trinity International.

As a college soccer player, Cox was a four-year starter and two-year captain on the men's soccer team at Houghton College. Cox earned NAIA honorable mention All-America as a senior. He also played in the Premier Development League with the Chicago Eagles and was a member of the U-17 and U-20 Canadian National Team programs.

Cox is a native of Toronto, Canada. He and his wife Krista have three children, Elliana (11), Addilyn (5) and Gabriel John (4).

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Christian Young

Christian Young was named the men's soccer assistant coach at Union University in April of 2023. Young joins Union after spending the last four seasons as the assistant coach at NCAA D3 Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama.

Young has his U.S. Soccer National D Coaching License. In addition to his assistant coaching duties, Young will serve as the recruiting coordinator for Coach Cox and the Bulldog Soccer Program.

Young helped Huntingdon to an NCAA-era record in wins while on the coaching staff in 2019. He helped coach a pair of all-conference players and nine academic all-conference players. He helped the Hawks reach the conference tournament on three different occasions. Young spent one season as a volunteer assistant at his alma mater, Auburn University in Montgomery in 2018. He also spent time coaching at the club level with the Capital City Streaks and Barber Elite Soccer Club.

A 2018 graduate of Auburn Montgomery with a degree in general business, Young played soccer at AUM for four seasons from 2014-17. His first two years were AUM's final years of NAIA play and his final two years were the first two as members of NCAA D2 and the Gulf South Conference. Young was the team captain in his junior and senior seasons.

Young is from the town of Millbrook, Alabama, and is a 2014 graduate of Stahnope Elmore High School.