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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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Allen Vital

On Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, East Tennessee State University Athletic Director Dr. Richard Sander announced the hiring of Allen Vital as ETSU’s men’s soccer head coach.


Vital, who becomes the fifth head coach in program history, comes to Johnson City with 27 years of head coaching experience as he spent 14 years at Carson-Newman and just finished his 13th season at his alma mater, Tusculum.


“We are excited to name Allen Vital as our new men’s soccer head coach,” said Dr. Sander. “Coach Vital has had a tremendous amount of success over his 27 years as a head coach both at Carson-Newman and most recently Tusculum. He is not only well-respected in the soccer community, but he has also built a lot of strong relationships here in East Tennessee and across the region. Coach Vital has done an exceptional job with the development of youth soccer in our region and throughout the state. He coached with the East Tennessee Soccer Federation and served on the coaching staff of the Olympic Development Program for the State of Tennessee. We look forward to continued success both on the field and in the classroom for our men’s soccer program under his leadership.”


For his career, Coach Vital has combined for 12 conference regular season and conference tournament championships, while directing his teams to 10 NCAA Division II Tournament appearances. Of those 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, Vital’s teams made the Sweet 16 three times and Elite Eight twice. Overall, Coach Vital has won 256 career games (118 in conference), making him the second winningest coach in South Atlantic Conference history. In addition, the 256 victories rank 15th among active NCAA Division II head coaches and 42nd all-time in wins and win percentage.


“I am excited beyond words to be given the opportunity to be a part of ETSU's amazing athletic department and to lead such a successful soccer program,” said Vital. “I am eager to get started and look forward to meeting the current soccer players as well as all the other members of the ETSU Buccaneer family. I thank search committee members, Dr. Richard Sander and Dr. Brian Noland for the trust they have put in me to lead the ETSU men’s soccer program.”


Coach Vital wrapped up a 13-year run at Tusculum where his 90 victories rank third all-time in program history. Vital led the Pioneers to three SAC Tournament titles (2014, 2016 and 2018) and was named SAC Coach of the Year in his first season at Tusculum after guiding the team to a 6-1-2 mark in league play. That marked Vital’s seventh career SAC Coach of the Year honor.


The 2018 squad won seven of their final nine matches, while defeating Wingate, Carson-Newman and Anderson during the Pioneers’ run in the tournament. Tusculum then advanced to the Southeast Region semifinal after taking down Queens (N.C.) 3-2 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.


In 2016, Vital led the Pioneers to 12 straight wins to open the season, resulting in Tusculum’s longest win streak as a NCAA Division II member. The Pioneers went 16-4 that season and finished the year ranked No. 24 in the country and third in the Southeast Region.


Vital’s first conference tournament title with the Pioneers came in 2014 – the first for a Tusculum team since 2009. The Pioneers entered the tournament as the No. 6 seed and defeated Carson-Newman, Mars Hill and 20th-ranked Wingate to earn the championship title. After advancing past Mars Hill in penalty kicks, Tusculum won in double-overtime against the nationally ranked Wingate squad in the title game.


During his 13 years at Tusculum, Vital coached 35 all-conference players, 12 all-tournament team selections and three SAC Tournament MVPs. The Pioneers also excelled in the classroom under Vital’s watch as 14 players received CoSIDA Academic All-District honors, four players were named Academic All-Americans and two Pioneers earned the SAC Scholar-Athlete accolade.


Prior to his run in Greeneville, Vital built a power at nearby Carson-Newman. In his 14 seasons at Carson-Newman, Vital led the Eagles to eight South Atlantic Conference championships (2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010), one SAC Tournament title (2005) and eight consecutive trips to the NCAA Division II Tournament (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010). Vital was named Conference Coach of the Year six times (2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2011) and NCAA Division II Region Coach of the Year twice (2003, 2005).


Vital led Carson-Newman to eight straight winning seasons from 2003-2010 where the Eagles went 115-31-14 overall (.763) and 49-6-4 in conference play (.864) during that historical run.


In 2003, Vital and the Eagles enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in program history as Carson-Newman went 14-6-3 overall and 6-1 in league play en route to winning its second SAC title in four years. The Eagles advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight following wins over two top-10 ranked programs in UNC Pembroke and USC Spartanburg. After the season, Carson-Newman was ranked No. 12 in the final D-II national poll.


The following year, Vital’s program notched the highest win percentage in school history after finishing 17-2-1, resulting in an .875 mark. The Eagles, who were ranked No. 1 in the country in the NSCAA Division II Poll during the season, won the SAC title, while Vital earned another Coach of the Year honor and Tyler Baldock was pegged SAC Player of the Year.


The accolades kept coming a year later as Vital and Baldock repeated those honors, while Carson-Newman set the program record for wins after finishing 18-2-2. The Eagles finished the season ranked No. 6 nationally after registering their third straight SAC Championship and first-ever SAC Tournament title. In 2006, Vital’s squad capped off the first four-peat in SAC history as Carson-Newman went 14-2-2 overall and ended the campaign No. 15 in the Division II Poll.


Despite its run for a fifth straight league title coming to an end in 2007, Carson-Newman finished the year ranked 13th in the country and the Eagles made its fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance.


Vital guided the Eagles to a share of the 2008 league regular season title with Tusculum and followed with the program’s seventh and eighth league crowns in 2009 and 2010.


To go with the 158 wins at Carson-Newman, Vital coached 57 all-conference selections, 32 all-region honorees, three All-Americans, two SAC Players of the Year, one SAC Freshman of the Year and one SAC Scholar-Athlete.


“Allen is a vastly experienced and accomplished coach and leader,” said Dr. Adam Sayers, Global Sport Leadership Doctoral Faculty / ETSU Athletics Sport Supervisor. “His record in his previous head coaching roles speak for itself. He has brought success and recognition to institutions in our region, building teams through masterful recruiting locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. As a person of deep integrity, we are sure he will serve the student-athletes in our athletic department, the university, and the wider regional community with the professionalism and honor that the role demands. We are thrilled Allen will be joining ETSU.”


During his time as a player, Vital spent his freshman and sophomore seasons at Lees-McRae where he led the Bobcats to two NJCAA Region 10 Championships. Vital played the 1990 and 1991 seasons at Tusculum where he was selected to the NAIA All-District 24 both years. Vital led the Pioneers to a combined 26-16-2 record and won the 1990 Tennessee Virginia Athletic Conference Championship and 1991 NAIA District title.


Vital spent three years as the Coordinator of Special Student Activities and Soccer Coach at Walters State Community College in Morristown, Tennessee. He holds an Advance National license by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.


Vital has been very active in youth soccer development throughout the State of Tennessee. He served for several years on the coaching staff of the East Tennessee Soccer Federation as well as on the coaching staff of the Olympic Development Program for the State of Tennessee. Vital was also the director of coaching and player development for the Lakeway Soccer Club as well as the Star Soccer Academy of Morristown, Tenn.


Vital not only has an outstanding soccer resume – he is also a scholar. Along with a Business Administration degree from Tusculum, he minored in French and Art, while also earning a Master of Arts in Talent Development. Vital is trilingual, speaking English, French and Haitian Creole.


Vital and his wife, Christina are the proud parents of three sons: Devin Alain, Jean-Pierre and Remi.

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