NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion head women’s soccer coach Angie Hind announced on Tuesday the hiring of Zach Hanson to join the 2024 coaching staff as assistant coach. Hanson has previously coached at Eastern Kentucky and VMI and most recently served as the Girls Academy Director at Skyline Elite SC in Charlottesville, Virginia.
“I am so thrilled to have Zach join our staff and ultimately our family. He has a good level of experience already working with two other D1 programs and also given his involvement in club soccer I feel he is well connected to help us continue to move this program forward. Where we are right now, it’s so important that we can continue to surround our athletes with people who are passionate about soccer, and about ODU Women’s soccer and I have a great feel for that with Zach. I believe he will be a great addition to our coaching team, and I am excited to see the positive impact he will have both on the recruitment and on-field success of our program,” said Hind.
Hanson spent the 2021- 2022 season as an assistant women’s soccer coach at VMI. Hanson held multiple areas of responsibility and had significant impact specifically on the attacking aspect of the program helping the team double their goals scored from the previous season.
From June 2022 to January 2024, Hanson served as the assistant women’s soccer coach at Eastern Kentucky, where he was the recruiting coordinator and helped transform their in possession game model. Hanson was key in building a 2024 recruiting class that was the most decorated in EKU’s history as it featured three United Soccer Coaches All-American’s.
At EKU in the fall of 2022, Hanson was recognized for his coaching potential and was named to United Soccer Coach’s 30 Under 30 class which saw him participate in a year-long coaching education and mentorship program.
He also served on the Girls Academy staff at Lexington (Ky.) Sporting Club of USL League 1 and USL Super League, coaching teams in the Girls Academy League and serving as the Skills Acquisition Phase Director during that time.
Most recently, Hanson served as the Girls Academy Director at Skyline Elite SC in Charlottesville, Virginia. His role involved directing and leading all aspects of the club, including player recruitment, roster management and on field practice and competition.
Hanson possesses a USC Premier Diploma and is currently finalizing his USSF B License. He has also presented at the United Soccer Coaches Convention in Anaheim in January 2024.
“I am extremely excited and thankful to be joining the Old Dominion Women’s Soccer program! The opportunity to step into a program that’s had as much success as this one has and to work with a staff as accomplished and experienced as this one is not an opportunity that comes every day. As soon as I had my first opportunity to get onto campus and begin interacting with the players, it became quite clear why they’ve had the success they’ve had on and off the field. The culture is special and I can’t wait to step into it and continue to push the program forward,!” said Hanson.