The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Soccer
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
On May 2, 2016, Texas head soccer coach Angela Kelly announced the addition of former Trinity University (TX) head coach Lance Key as the new assistant coach for the Longhorns soccer program.
Key takes over the position vacated by Jaimel Johnson, who served four seasons on Kelly's staff as the goalkeeping coach before leaving the Forty Acres to open her own private goalkeeping academy, "The Goal Standard," in the Atlanta, Georgia, area. He will oversee all Texas goalkeeper personnel, an area of great tradition on the Forty Acres that includes recent UT standout and current Boston Breakers (National Women's Soccer League - NWSL) net minder Abby Smith.
"Lance is someone that I have known and respected in the game for over a decade now," Kelly said. "He possesses unquestionable character and discipline as a father, husband and as an individual.
"From the coaching side of things, I believe his resume and reputation in the game will speak for itself, and that he will prove to be a wonderful addition to our staff. Lance is a tireless recruiter that is extremely well connected in the state of Texas, throughout the country and abroad. Very rarely do programs get to boast of a staff where, in all four positions (including our volunteer coach), each coach has played or been at the top of either the international or professional level. What an exciting time ahead for Texas athletics and our women's soccer program."
As the head coach at Division III Trinity (TX) for the last 12 seasons, Key directed the Tigers to a 209-20-18 overall record (.883), ranking third all-time over NCAA Divisions I, II, and III in winning percentage counting all coaches (entering the 2015 campaign), with eight unbeaten regular seasons. He was tabbed as the national coach of the year in 2009 and 2013, was a two-time regional coach of the year (2009, 2011) and was chosen as the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Coach of the Year seven times.
"It is an honor receiving the opportunity to contribute to the enhancement of the student-athlete's experience within the soccer program at the University of Texas," Key said. "Coach Kelly is a phenomenal teacher of the game and is as competitive as anyone I've ever known.
"Equally as impressive to me is her vision towards a culture of class, integrity, loyalty and growth that facilitates a commitment to excellence. I am very grateful and excited to join in the process of building an environment that matches the rich history and significance of the University of Texas both academically and athletically as we develop winners in life. My family and I are blessed to be joining the Texas Soccer family."
While in charge at Trinity, Key built the program into a perennial Division III power, ranking in the top 25 annually while earning 11 NCAA Tournament berths (15-7-7 NCAA Tournament record, .638) and participating in the 2013 NCAA Division III National Championship match. In all, his squads advanced to the 2013 NCAA Final Four and made three NCAA Elite Eight (2005, 2009, 2013) and five NCAA Round of 16 appearances.
On the conference level, his teams won 10 SCAC titles and recently earned their seventh-consecutive league crown as part of a 2015 campaign that saw Trinity post a 19-1-2 overall record.
Individually, four of Key's players were finalists for national player of the year honors, while 21 reaped All-American selections. On a league level, he could boast of 96 All-SCAC inclusions and 19 SCAC Players of the Year.
Key's teams also got the job done in the classroom, receiving 11 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Team Academic Awards, while his players picked up 18 NSCAA Scholar-Athlete nods, nine Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-American selections, two Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year accolades and four NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships.
In addition to his work at Trinity, Key has previously served as an assistant with the San Antonio Scorpions of the NASL (2014), as the director of the Trinity Soccer Academy (2004-present) and the Director of Training at the Classics Elite Soccer Academy (CESA) (2002-08), as part of the NSCAA Women's Soccer Advisory Council (2016) and with the South Texas Youth Soccer Association (STYSA) from 2006-08.
During his own standout playing career, Key was a three-time All-American at Trinity University from 1996-99, earning SCAC Player of the Year honors as a senior. Following his collegiate career, he became the only Division III player to be selected in the 2000 Major League Soccer Draft, eventually starting 34 matches for the Colorado Rapids from 2000-01. For his efforts, Key was recently inducted into the Trinity University Athletic Hall of Fame as part of its 2015 class.
Key holds a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Trinity in 2000 and both an Advanced National Diploma and Goalkeeping Diploma from the NSCAA. He and his wife Natalie, are the parents of two daughters, Ava and Ela.
