Coaches

Erik Solberg

Erik Solberg was named UAPB head women’s soccer coach in March 2020, bringing extensive experience to the Golden Lion program.


In his first season with UAPB, Solberg led the Lady Lions to their conference tournament since 2018. Under his leadership in 2021, he had two players earn All-SWAC honors. In the preseason of 2022, Solberg had two players be named on the All-SWAC team, which includes one named SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.


Solberg comes to Pine Bluff from Northwestern Oklahoma State, which saw the program more than double its win total in Solberg’s only season there in 2019, leading the Rangers to their highest win total since becoming full NCAA Div. II members in 2015 and most conference points since 2004. He had four players earn Great America Conference all-league honors, including the Newcomer of the Year last season.


Prior to that, Solberg spent three seasons at East Texas Baptist where he was 27-21-7 as the head coach. In 2017, he led the Division III Tigers to a program record 13 wins, including an upset victory over NCAA Div. I Alcorn State. Under his leadership, two Tigers earned DIII All-West Region selections and 17 players were named all-conference, including the American Southwestern Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year.


Prior to his time at ETBU, Solberg was an assistant coach at East Central University (2014-16). He also was as a volunteer assistant for one season at Nicholls State while also serving as the head boys’ soccer coach at Ponchatoula High School (2013-14).


Solberg holds an Advanced National Diploma and National Diploma with the United Soccer Coaches (formerly the National Soccer Coaches Association of American), as well as certification with the National Federation of State High School Associations. He worked with Skyhawks, Inc. as Camp Director for two years, and has worked various soccer camps including at Oklahoma State, Wisconsin, Oregon, Nicholls State and ECU, as well as with FC Dallas.


Solberg is a graduate of the University of Mississippi where he obtained a degree in Liberal Studies in 2012, and earned a Masters of Education with a concentration in Sports Administration from East Central in 2015.


A native of Arlington Heights, Illinois, Solberg was an athlete at Ole Miss, competing at the varsity level on the track and field and cross-country teams, scoring for the Rebels at the 2009 Southeastern Conference Cross-Country Championships. He was named to the Southeastern Conference Honor Roll in 2009-10, and during a season of graduate eligibility at NCAA Div. I Southeastern Louisiana, he was named to the Southland Conference Honor Roll.


Solberg is also skilled away from the sideline as a violinist, playing with the Lafayette-Oxford-University Orchestra from 2009-11.


He and his wife Shelby have a son, Hayes.

No Men's Soccer Program