Belmont Abbey College

Belmont Abbey College Athletics
100 Belmont-Mt. Holly Road Belmont, NC 28012

Division 2 North Carolina Southeast

Private Small National competitor

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Coaches

Email coach

John Keating

John Keating was named Head Men's Soccer Coach in April 2011, following 13 years as a Director of Coaching and Executive Director of various large clubs in the Midwest. Prior to that, he coached at the State University of New York (SUNY) and Warren Wilson College, where he also served as Assistant Athletic Director from 1994-1997.

Keating has had success at each of his collegiate stops, earning Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year honors in 2023 and 2021. The 2023 team posted its first 10-win season since, earning the No. 4 seed for the league tournament. During the Spring 2021 campaign, he led the team to the championship, beating the No. 5, No. 2 and No. 1 seeds in the process. Ben Knust secured the All-Tournament MVP and four players were named to the all-tournament team. The 2018 finished second in the in the regular season with three players earning all-conference honors.

During his tenure at Warren Wilson, Keating led the team to its first-ever NSCAA final four appearance, while he helped SUNY - Fredonia, he worked with Mike Middleton to take the team to SUNYAC finals.

As a player, Keating was a four-year starter at West Virginia, where he captained the team in his junior and senior year. He holds multiple scoring records at his alma mater and still stands tied for fifth on the career scoring list. Before coming to the United States, Keating had been a member of the South African under-17 national soccer team (1987).

Keating earned both a bachelor and master's degrees from WVU before taking up the assistant position at SUNY. During that period he also earned his USSF A License and National Youth License.

A native of Johannesburg, South Africa, Keating played in the South African NSL for Wits (BidVest). He is married to Toni and they are raising their four children (Jack, Dublin, Finnian and Savannah) in Gastonia, N.C.

Email coach

Patrick Kibler

Came to Belmont Abbey

August, 2023

Previous Experience

2019 - 2022 Professional Playing Experience with Senglea Athletic (Malta)...Bodens BK FF (Sweden)...South Hobart FC (Australia)...Seaford Rangers (Australia).

2020 - 2022 South Hobart FC -- Professional Youth Academy

2019 - 2023 Mariner High School (Florida) -- Assistant Boy's Soccer Coach

2017 IMG Academy (Florida) -- Assistant Boys Soccer Coach

Playing Highlights

Two-time captain for Belmont Abbey men's soccer (2016, 2017)...Conference Carolinas Defensive Player of the Year (2017)...Conference Carolinas All-Conference Selection (2017).

Education

B.S in Sports Management -- Belmont Abbey College, 2018

Email coach

Austin Gunnels

Came to Belmont Abbey

August, 2023

Playing Experience

2018 USC Lancaster -- Goalkeeper

2019-2022 Limestone -- Goalkeeper

2023 Columbia College (South Carolina) -- Goalkeeper

Playing Highlights

2018 Junior College National Leader in saves...Two-time Division II NCAA Tournament participant at Limestone (2019, 2021).

Education

B.S. in Physical Education/Teacher Education -- Limestone University, 2022

M.S. in Athletic Coaching -- Columbia College (S.C.), 2023