Huntingdon’s Williams promoted to head men’s soccer coach

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Huntingdon men's soccer program has a new head coach.

Matt Williams was recently promoted to head coach after one season as an assistant. Williams replaces Timmy McCormack, who left Huntingdon to become the Director of Athletic Communications at Piedmont College.

"I'm extremely excited about this opportunity. I feel prepared and I'm ready to get going," Williams said. "Coach McCormack did a great job last season and I enjoyed working with him and learning from him. We're going to continue in the direction we started last year and that should help make the transition smoother."

McCormack and Williams guided the Hawks to a 5-11-2 record last season. Of the losses, only three were decided by more than two goals. Two losses and both ties came in double overtime.

"Matt was a fantastic addition to our coaching staff from the first day he was hired," McCormack said. "He came in with a solid background as a player and a coach and during the past year, I could see his potential as a head coach as well his outstanding character and leadership ability. These qualities, along with his knowledge of the game and understanding of Division III, make him the perfect choice to continue the development of our program."

Before coming to Huntingdon, Williams was a student-assistant at the University of West Florida and an assistant coach for the Gulf Coast Texans in the Women's Premiere Soccer League. As a player, Williams played collegiately at the University of North Florida and the University of West Florida. He was a first-team All-Conference selection at UWF.

Following college, Williams played in the United Soccer Leagues, first with Panama City in the Premier Development League and later with Real Maryland in the USL 2nd Division. He also played with Team Wellington in the ASB Premiership.

In addition to Williams' promotion, the Huntingdon women's soccer program is adding Emily Barber as an assistant coach. This will be Barber's second stint at Huntingdon. She previously served as an assistant soccer coach during the 2007 and 2008 seasons.

"I am thrilled to have Emily as part of the coaching staff," Huntingdon women's soccer head coach Robert Milner. "She has a wealth of experience as a player and a coach and will be dedicated to helping our student-athletes pursue success on and off the field."

Barber played collegiately and was a team captain at Auburn University Montgomery. Following her two seasons at Huntingdon, Barber coached with the Montgomery YMCA and FC Torjager. For the past four seasons she has coached the Montgomery Academy girls soccer team, earning All-Metro Coach of the Year twice.

Her MA teams have won the past two Class 1A-4A state titles and are two wins away from a third straight title. MA will play in the semifinals on Friday. Barber will begin working on campus after the completion of the high school season.