Mercedes Padilla to Serve as Assistant Women's Soccer Coach

Montgomery, Ala.-Huntingdon Athletics has announced the hiring of Mercedes Padilla to serve as Assistant Women's Soccer Coach. 

Padilla is replacing Haley Knowles, who is departing the program for an assistant coaching position at her alma mater, Eckerd College.

"Coaching college soccer has always been my goal and I couldn't be more grateful for Huntingdon College to be my starting point," Padilla said. "I am extremely excited to step in as the next Women's Soccer Assistant Coach. Thank you to Cliff Jordan and Eric Levanda for giving me the opportunity to continue to grow this soccer program and share my leadership with the student athletes. I can not wait to get started and get to work.

Padilla, originally from Norwalk, California, graduated from Alabama State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology and a Minor in Chemistry. She was a member of the 2016, 2017, and 2020 SWAC Championship teams and was named to the Southwestern Athletic All-Conference Second Team in 2020. She was named the Lakewood Hall of Fame Collegiate Soccer Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017, an award given by the city of Lakewood, California, to local high school standouts, and the SWAC Defensive Player of Year in 2017. 

"Mercedes is going to bring an exciting level of training and recruiting to our women's soccer program," Head Coach Cliff Jordan said. "She has competed at the highest level of collegiate soccer and I look forward to her bringing that experience to our program."

"Mercedes is a dynamite addition to Coach Jordan's program," Athletic Director Eric Levanda said. "I really like that she's no stranger to the city of Montgomery, having played collegiately right around the corner from our campus and then post graduation, helping develop younger players here in the city for a few years. She will bring a new set of ideas, knowledge, and experience for our women to absorb. I'm excited for our women more than anything."

She is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Kinesiology Exercise Science.

"Coach Mercedes Padilla is a strong addition to our soccer coaching staff," President West said."She brings diverse Division I soccer experience, a championship mentality, and a diligent work ethic. I look forward to seeing the women's team build on the strength of the 2021 season under head coach Cliff Jordan and assistant coach Mercedes Padilla."

Visit https://www.huntingdonhawks.com/sports/wsoc/index for more information about Huntingdon Women's Soccer.