ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – With the continuing growth and success of its soccer programs, the Ouachita Tigers athletic department announced the hiring of Head Coach Wilson Jones. Jones will take over all coaching duties for the men's program while Head Coach Kevin Wright will continue his role as head coach of the women's team.
 
"We are very excited to announce the hiring of Coach Wilson Jones to lead our men's program," said Ouachita Tigers Athletic Director David Sharp. "Wilson is no stranger to Ouachita Soccer. He volunteered for Coach Wright in the 2012 season. He played a big part in recruiting a lot of the current members of our men's team, so there is some familiarity from everyone's standpoint."
 
Sharp added, "Coach Jones has a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm for the game. I look forward to him leading our men."
 
Coach Jones, a native of Sulphur Springs, Texas, and graduate of the University of the Ozarks, said he is excited to be back at Ouachita and ready to build on the program's recent successes.
 
"We want to continue to improve on last season," Coach Jones said. "And this year we'll be playing in a conference for the first time, so that gives us something more to play for. We've already set out goal on winning the conference championship."
 
Coach Jones added that the conference affiliation will also impact recruiting.
 
"Being a part of the GAC gives our players something tangible to strive for. Players coming in now will have something to play for. Post-season is something everyone wants to play for."
 
2014 brought not only upgrades and additions to the Tigers' soccer facilities, the men's team enjoyed wins over ranked opponents and time spent in the regional rankings. The women's team celebrated its first Great American Conference title, defeating Southern Nazarene in the conference championship game.
 
With growth and success come challenges, and Coach Sharp said he felt it was in the program's best interest to meet them head on. He also emphasized that this restructuring of the program was done with no additional budget requirements.
 
"I am very pleased to announce this restructuring of our Soccer Program," he said. "With recent growth in numbers, and scheduling challenges, both our men's and women's teams will have their own head coach."
 
He added, "Coach Kevin Wright will lead the women's team. He has done an outstanding job with both teams, but he will now focus solely on leading and improving our women's team."
 
Another change to the Tiger soccer program is the departure of longtime assistant coach and former player Neal Ozmun. Coach Ozmun left to serve as an assistant at Idaho State University. Coach Sharp affirmed the impact Ozmun made on Ouachita soccer.
 
"Neal Ozmun assisted both the men's and women's teams for the last three seasons," Coach Sharp said. "I want to thank Neal for his contributions to our program. He did an outstanding job assisting in bringing numerous student-athletes to campus to compete for our soccer teams. We wish him well in his new endeavor."