East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, TN 37614

Tennessee Southeast

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Jay Yelton

In the first year as the captain of the Buccaneer program, Yelton faced a season full of obstacles as the season was moved to the spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Only playing eight games, it was the first time in program history that fewer than 16 matches were played in the season. The Bucs finished 1-6-1 overall, 1-4-1 in conference play. The season was highlighted with a 2-1 come from behind win over UNCG, marking the fourth straight time the Bucs defeated the Spartans on home soil. Yelton added his first Buccaneer to the All-SoCon Team, Sinoxolo Cesane earning All-Freshman plaudits in her debut campaign. The Bucs excelled in the classroom, as every member of the squad finished with above a 3.0 in the spring semester for a combined 3.693 GPA on the 20-21 academic year.

Yelton became the fourth head coach in program history heading into the 2020 season, joining the Blue and Gold after spending the last 17 seasons as an assistant coach at Samford University, where he spent the last four seasons as the associate head coach. Prior to his time in Homewood, Yelton coached at a multitude of levels; assistant at Georgia State, head coach at Division II Lees-McRae and a goalkeeping coach for Parkview High School in Atlanta, Ga.

Yelton has compiled an overall record of 210-104-40 (.650) as an assistant coach, including a 193-82-37 (.678) record while at Samford that encompassed four OVC regular season championships, one OVC tournament championship, seven Southern Conference regular season championships, three Southern Conference tournament championships and five NCAA tournament appearances. In addition to the championships won during Yelton’s tenure, the Bulldogs also recorded 12 wins over Power-5 programs: two over Alabama, Auburn and Vanderbilt and wins versus Baylor, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Tennessee and Wake Forest.

“I am extremely honored to have the opportunity to lead the women’s soccer program at ETSU,” said Yelton. “It is with a deep appreciation that I would like to thank Dr. Noland and Scott Carter for entrusting me with the chance to be a part of the staff here in Johnson City. Throughout the process, I have been impressed by the culture that is being established here and I am humbled to have the opportunity to become a part of it. As a native of this area, I believe there is an opportunity to achieve great things at this university, and I can’t wait to get started working with the team.”

“It is a great pleasure to welcome home Coach Jay Yelton, his wife Graham and their son Roe as the newest members of the ETSU Athletics Family,” said Carter. “Coach Yelton’s integrity, love of family, knowledge of the game and culture of excellence make him the ideal fit as the leader of our ETSU women’s soccer program. The championship experience and knowledge of the Southern Conference he brings to Johnson City is something that I am very excited about. I cannot wait to get to work with Coach Yelton as he builds upon our mantra of Excellence Every Day.”

During his time at Samford, Yelton specialized in goalkeeping coaching. Under his tutelage, three-time All-SoCon selection Alyssa Whitehead is populated all over the SoCon record books, including 12 shutouts in 2010 and 10 shutouts in 2009 (T-2nd and T-8th respectively), a 0.31 GAA in 2009 (1st), a career 0.74 GAA (3rd), 34 career shutouts (T-2nd) and a .913 save percentage in 2009 that ranks tied for 28th in NCAA history.

As a team, Samford has amassed an 78-9-11 record in SoCon play with Yelton as an assistant. Coming off a 13-4-5 season in 2019, the Bulldogs went 7-1-1 in conference play to sweep the post season and regular season SoCon Championship, entering the NCAA tournament where Samford eventually fell to No. 5 South Carolina. Samford allowed 0.94 (3rd) goals per game in the Southern Conference, leading the way in shutouts behind Morgan McAslan with 12 in 22 attempts. The Bulldogs played two ranked teams, three SEC teams, an ACC team and a Big East team in their non-conference schedule.

In his first season with Samford, Yelton helped the Bulldogs finish with an OVC regular season championship. His squad ranked ninth in the country in shutout percentage (.619) with 13 shutouts (4th nationally). Crystal Royall set school records for season and career goals-against average, shutouts, and consecutive shutout minutes under Yelton’s tutelage. Royall became the first player in OVC history to be named both Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.

In the six years Yelton spent in the OVC with Samford, his defense never allowed more than 16 goals in a season. Introducing themselves to the SoCon for the first time in 2009, Yelton mentored Whitehead to an All-SoCon freshman season in each’s debut season in the conference.

Yelton re-established his shot stoppers as a premier conference group, ranking first in the nation in save percentage (.913) and GAA (0.31). Allowing only six goals all year, Whitehead earned an All-SoCon First Team nod.

Despite his primary responsibility of goalkeeper training at Samford, Yelton played a role in summer youth and team camps as well as assisting in on-field coaching.

Before his time at Samford, Yelton coached as an assistant at Georgia State University from 2000 to 2001. Yelton moved on into his first collegiate head coaching job at Division II Lees-McRae in Banner Elk, N.C., where he led his squad to a 19-3 mark in his only season at the helm before joining his brother at Samford.

Yelton began his coaching career at Parkview High School in Atlanta, Ga., where he held the goalkeeper training roles for the junior varsity and varsity teams. Coached by his brother and current Samford head coach Todd Yelton, Jay helped Parkview to a 4A State Championship in 1999.

Hailing from Piney Flats, Tennessee, Yelton is married to his wife Graham and they have a son Monroe. Yelton achieved a successful career at local King University from 1994-98, where he became a two-time all-conference selection as well as a team captain in both his junior and senior years. In his final season, Yelton was named the team’s Most Valuable Player. He completed his bachelor’s degree in history and graduated with honors in 1998.

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Matt Yelton

On August 5th, 2020, Matt Yelton was announced as the newest addition to the ETSU Women's Soccer staff, joining his brother Jay to help lead the Bucs.

In his first full year, Yelton helped navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic that saw the shortened soccer season get pushed to the spring, where the Bucs would play in just eight games. Yelton was an integral part in the development of All-Freshman selection Sinoxolo Cesane. Yelton also played a role in scheduling training sessions as well as recruiting, bringing in 10 new Bucs in their first recruiting class.

Yelton spent the year prior to joining the Blue and Gold as the Vice President of Youth Soccer Operations and Senior Director of Coaching at the Chattanooga Red Wolves SC Academy, helping direct the “path to pro” philosophy for the Tennessee area. Under his role, Yelton oversaw all coaches and directors for the youth academy, established curriculum for the academy and a development plan for players, developed sponsorships, partnerships and other revenue-generating streams and coordinated and developed partnerships with national youth soccer leaders and organizations around the country.

After a successful stint at Lee, Yelton operated for four years as an executive director for Chattanooga FC Academy, helping foster relationships in Chattanooga through soccer while affording players a pathway to competitive soccer.

Yelton spent 13 seasons at Lee University, becoming the most winningest coach, regardless of sport, in university history. During his time with the Lady Flames, Yelton directed his program to a 245-42-2 record, achieving an 85.1% winning percentage at the helm. Lee won 11 conference championships with the leadership of Yelton, claiming four NAIA National Championships (2008-11) before transitioning to a Division II school.

Winning the 2014 National Christian College Athletic Association Championship, Yelton compiled a stellar 89-0-1 mark while in the Southern States Athletic Conference during their time as an NAIA member. In the two years at the Division II level, Matt helped lead his team to an 18-2 record in the Gulf South Conference, unable to compete in postseason play having just moved up in classification.

Under Yelton’s tutelage, five Lady Flames have had their numbers retired within the program. In his thirteen seasons, Matt coached the program goal scoring leader Janaina Novaes (2004-07),the NAIA all-time assist leader in Jamie Achten (2008-11) and second-most clean sheets in NAIA Cait Wohlander (2003-06). While at the helm, the Lady Flames set program records that remain to this day; including a 21-game winning streak, a 28-game home winning streak, an 84-game conference win streak and a 99-game conference unbeaten streak.

Yelton opened his coaching career at his alma mater King University in 1997. Under the four-year guidance, King produced a 54-40-5 record.

Before his days as a coach, Yelton spent his collegiate years playing for King University from 1992-95. Matt received his master’s degree at ETSU in 2002 in English language and literature.

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David Lilly

ETSU turned to a familiar face for its next leader of the men’s soccer program.

During a press conference on Friday, Dec. 3, at Summers-Taylor Stadium, East Tennessee State Athletic Director Scott Carter announced David Lilly as the Buccaneers’ new head coach. Lilly, a Buccaneer assistant coach from 2010-17, has spent the past four seasons as the head coach at Milligan.

“It is an honor to welcome Coach David Lilly back to the ETSU Athletics family,” said Carter. “The lasting impression he made on our men’s soccer program during his eight years as a Buc from 2010-2017, was extraordinary. So many on our campus, in our region, and throughout the soccer world know Coach Lilly to be an outstanding leader and mentor of young men. He has been a champion both as a player and a coach, earned superlative honors as both a player and a coach, and brings a championship mindset and expectation back to ETSU men’s soccer. Above all else, David Lilly is a tremendous person, and I am very thankful he is the head coach of our ETSU Buccaneers.”

Lilly is excited to be back in the Blue and Gold.

“This is an extremely special day and I am so excited to rejoin this incredible program,” said Lilly. “I’d like to thank Dr. Brian Noland, Scott Carter and the entire search committee for this opportunity and for their support during the process. It was great to hear of their vision for the program, the athletic department and university. I had the chance to meet with the team last night and I look forward to getting to work with them as soon as possible to build upon the legacy of success that’s been created here."

In his four seasons at Milligan, Lilly generated an overall record of 42-26-3 and a conference mark of 28-14-3, while leading the Buffs to back-to-back appearances in the NAIA National Tournament. Lilly has played a role in all three of Milligan’s all-time appearances in the national tournament, leading the Buffs to a pair of trips as head coach (2020 and 2021) and their first ever appearance as a player in 2006.

The past two seasons, Milligan has reached historic marks as the Buffs went 27-6-1 overall and 20-3 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference.

This past season, Lilly helped guide Milligan to new heights as the Buffs went 15-3-1 overall and 11-2 in conference play. The Buffs – who were ranked in all 11 Top 25 Polls during the year – reached their highest ranking in program history at No. 9 on Sept 15. Milligan also set program records in win percentage (.816), goals (76) assists (65) and most shutouts (11), along with posting the second-winningest season in school history. The Buffs saw nine players earn All-Appalachian Athletic Conference honors in 2021, marking a league high.

In 2020, Lilly was named AAC Coach of the Year after leading the Buffs to the regular season conference crown, the first championship since 2012. Milligan earned its first trip to the NAIA Tournament since 2006, where the Buffs beat No. 12 Georgia Gwinnett, and finished the season with a 12-3 record and ranked No. 22 in the final Top 25 Poll.

During his time at ETSU, Lilly served as an assistant coach under head coaches Scott Calabrese and Bo Oshoniyi. Lilly saw the Bucs post a record of 81-49-27 during his eight seasons in the Blue and Gold, including making three NCAA Tournament appearances and boasting the program’s top winningest season at 15-6 in 2010. The Bucs won the 2010 and 2013 Atlantic Sun Tournaments to earn the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, while garnering the program’s first at-large berth in 2016 after going 12-5-3 overall and 7-1-2 in SoCon play. Over Lilly’s eight-year run, the Bucs produced 38 all-conference honors, two Player of the Year winners and two Goalkeeper of Year winners, along with being on staff for three Coach of the Year honors.

Prior to joining the ETSU staff, Lilly served as an assistant coach for three years at Milligan, helping guide the Buffs to a conference championship in 2009. Lilly also served as the interim head coach at the end of the 2007 campaign.

As a player at Milligan, Lilly had an outstanding collegiate career earning honorable mention NAIA All-American honors in 2005 and 2006, as well as being named the Region XII Player of the Year in 2006. Lilly was also named the Conference Player of the Year in 2005 and 2006, while garnering First-Team All-Region and All-Conference honors his senior year as he helped Milligan to the Region XII Championship and to a National Tournament Sweet 16 appearance. Lilly finished his career at Milligan with 32 goals and 26 assists.

Following his collegiate playing career, Lilly signed professionally with the Carolina Railhawks of the USL-1 during the 2008-09 season. He has also played PDL for the Mississippi Brilla and West Virginia Chaos.

Lilly, a native of Coatbridge, Scotland, graduated from Milligan in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management before earning his master’s in Business Administration from ETSU in December of 2012 and an additional Master’s in Kinesiology & Sport Management in December of 2014.

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Kyle Findlay

David Lilly named Kyle Findlay as his assistant coach on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021.

Findlay spent the last four seasons as Lilly’s assistant coach at Milligan where the Buffs posted an overall record of 42-26-3, while making back-to-back appearances in the NAIA National Tournament. Over the last two years at Milligan, the Buffs went 27-6-1 and 20-3 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference, where Findlay helped direct a run to the 2020 regular season championship. In 2020, Milligan finished 12-3 overall and was ranked No. 22 in the final Top 25 Poll.

In 2021, the Buffs went 15-3-1 overall and 11-2 in AAC play en route to setting program records in win percentage (.816), goals (76), assists (65) and shutouts (11). The 15 wins marked the second winningest season in program history where the Buffs garnered their highest ranking in program history at No. 9.

Findlay has also spent time serving as the assistant coach for the Tri-Cities Otters (in USL League Two) and the head coach of the Otters’ USL Academy squad.

Before arriving in the Tri-Cities, Findlay held both head and assistant coaching spots with clubs and organizations across three continents. Findlay worked as a program manager and coach for the Chicago Fire, while also spending time with the Fulham FC Development Center in England and as the head coach within The Cove FC’s youth system in Australia.

Findlay’s first head coaching stint came at Westminster College where he led the women’s soccer program in South Australia, while he also completed volunteer sports science work with Perth Glory in Australia’s Hyundai A-League.

Findlay, a native of Reading, England, played three seasons collegiately at Bluefield College where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science and sports science with a concentration in sports medicine. Prior to Bluefield, he attended Edith Cowan University in Perth, Western Australia.

Findlay holds a US Soccer B license and earned his Master’s in Sport Science & Coach Education from ETSU in 2021.