September 4, 2008

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LAURINBURG, N.C.—Brian Mand, Director of Athletics at St. Andrews Presbyterian College, has announced that Jennifer Montgomery has been hired to be the next head coach of Lady Knights’ women’s soccer program replacing current head coach Stevan Hernandez in November, after the completion of the 2008 season.

“Jenn Montgomery is a promising and ‘up and coming’ women’s soccer coach, who will be able to pass on her talents as a teacher and accomplished player to the young women who will be entrusted in her care,” said Mand. “I have every confidence that Coach Montgomery will continue the steady progress of the women’s soccer team, both on and off the field, and be successful in guiding and leading the program to a higher competitive level than previously achieved.”

(Picture courtesy of UCF Sports Information)

Montgomery will begin her head coaching career after Coach Hernandez completes his eighth and final season with the Lady Knights. Hernandez will become the full-time Director of the Annual Fund for St. Andrews at the conclusion of the current season.

“I am very fortunate to have this opportunity at St. Andrews Presbyterian College to be my first head coaching position,” said Montgomery. “St. Andrews has a great academic program and terrific support in athletics. I am very excited to be a part of it.”

Montgomery had the opportunity to spend some time with and observe the team during the interview process thefirst week of preseason, which will help make the transition between coaches smoother this November.

“I look forward to building a strong foundation with the Women's Soccer Team and implementing my coaching instruction that will benefit the program in the long term,” added Montgomery.

Montgomery comes to St. Andrews after spending the past year as an associate head coach and player for the Brevard County Cocoa Expos of the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL). She also spent time as the head coach and trainer for multiple youth teams in the Space Coast United Soccer Club last year.

A native of Colton, Calif., Montgomery has gained valuable coaching experience as volunteer assistant coach at Florida Institute of Technology and as an undergraduate assistant with the University of Central Florida (UCF). Montgomery has a USSF D License and a National Youth License.

After a successful collegiate career at UCF, Montgomery continued playing soccer for four years in the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) and three summers in the United Soccer League (USL) W-League.

Montgomery was a multiple-award winner and record-setting player for the Central Florida Knights women’s soccer program (2002-05) before graduating from her alma mater with a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with an emphasize in business commerce and social behavior and a minor in sports coaching.