Andrew College Athletics Names Four New Head Coaches

Cuthbert, Ga. – Andrew College Athletic Director Blake Williams announced the hiring of three new head coaches in the Andrew College Athletic Department on Friday, for the upcoming 2018-19 school year. The positions involved the men’s basketball, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, and women’s golf programs. Blake Williams stated, “I’m excited about the direction of our athletic department and overly excited about the addition of Justin, Taylor, Katie, and additional coaching responsibilities of Kayla. I have the upmost confidence these individuals will lead their teams to high success on and off the playing surface. These coaches are a great fit for Andrew College and will bring a wealth of knowledge.”

In the men’s basketball program, Justin Newton takes on his first head coaching position, although he has a wealth of coaching experience. Newton, known as a relentless recruiter comes to Andrew College after serving as an assistant coach at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, an NCAA Division II program in The Great American Conference under Head Coach Kyle Tolin. During his two years at UAM, they had two of the most successful seasons in the programs history.  In his first season with only two returning players, UAM went on to capture the Great American Regular Season Championship, set a school record for most wins, best start in school history, runner up GAC Tournament Champs, three All Conference selections, and finishing the year with a 23-7 overall record with an NCAA Tournament bid. Newton has previous stops as an assistant at fellow GCAA member South Georgia State, and NCAA Division II members Columbus State and Lee University.

The men’s soccer program will be headed by another first time head coach Taylor Jones. Jones joins Andrew College after a championship season at Louisburg College (NC) serving as the men’s soccer assistant coach, goalkeeper coach and recruiting coordinator. During the 2017 season, Taylor helped lead Louisburg to a NJCAA Region X Championship, an NJCAA Southeast District Championship, an appearance in the NJCAA National Tournament and a #9 ranking in the NJCAA Division One Final Poll. Under his leadership at Louisburg, Taylor coached the Region X Player of the Year, three players who received Region X First-Team honors, four players who received Region X Second-Team honors, two players who received Region X Honorable Mention honors and two players who were named NJCAA All-Americans.

A native of Montgomery, AL and alumnus of Auburn University, Taylor coached club and varsity boys high school soccer in Alabama prior to his stint at Louisburg, including Auburn High School, Smiths Station High School and Thompson High School. While at Louisburg, Taylor also coached the Louisburg High School varsity boys team and was head coach of two teams for Neuse River Futbol Alliance.

The women’s soccer program welcomes another first time head coach in Katie Brasher. Brasher is making her coaching debut in the NJCAA with the 2018 season. Brasher has been mentored by one of the most decorated coaches in the NAIA: two-time NAIA coach of the year winner, Brian Person. Every collegiate team Katie Brasher has tenured under Person held a top ten ranking nationally, frequenting the #1 spot. Brasher is no stranger to the pitch. Her nineteen years of elite level play gained national recognition as she ended a decorated career at the University of Mobile. At the University of Mobile, Brasher captained her team to two SSAC Championships, four consecutive NAIA National Tournament appearances, multiple #1 rankings, and a 59-19-7 overall record. Brasher’s individual accolades include being a two-time NAIA All-American, four-time All-Conference, two-time captain, and finishing 7th all time in scoring for the university. As a sophomore at a 6A high school, Brasher set the new single-season scoring record for girls’ soccer before suffering season-ending injuries her junior and senior seasons.

For the reintroduction of the women’s golf program, Head Softball Coach Kayla Williams has been tapped to lead this years group. A past two sport standout in softball and golf is now getting back to her roots and coaching both sports. Kayla has done a tremendous job with the softball program and will build the golf program into a successful program as well.