Anderson University (SC)

Anderson University Athletics
316 Boulevard Anderson, SC 29621

Division 2 South Carolina Southeast

Private Small Competitive team

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Sarah Jacobs

Sarah Jacobs was named Head Coach of the women's soccer program on April 3, 2018 (2nd Year)

“I am grateful and excited for the opportunity to lead the Anderson University women’s soccer team,” said Jacobs. “I have enjoyed my time working with the team and look forward to continuing to build upon a great foundation. I would like to thank President Whitaker and Bill D’Andrea for the opportunity as well as their support and confidence in my abilities to lead the program. I would also like to thank former head coach Julie Carlson for her guidance and mentorship in preparing me over the past year.”

Jacobs was a four-year letterwinner at Clemson (2008-11) and was named MVP in 2010. After exhausting her eligibility, Jacobs extended her playing career by joining the Carolina Elite Cobras in Greenville, S.C.

Jacobs arrived in the Electric City prior to the 2017 season after several stops in the professional soccer ranks, most recently with FC Dallas of the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL), in Frisco, Texas. A native of Greer, S.C, Jacobs had served as Interim Head Coach for the Trojans since February, when Julie Davis Carlson announced that she was stepping down.

She has developed and implemented training sessions to improve technique and tactics, as well as strength and fitness and has led the program’s scouting and recruiting efforts, while managing the logistics of the program. As an assistant coach last season, Jacobs helped lead AU to an overall 6-9-2 overall record, including a 5-5 mark and a sixth-place finish in the competitive South Atlantic Conference. The 2017 edition of AU women’s soccer captured the program’s fourth consecutive appearance in the postseason.

“We are very excited that Sarah will be our next head women’s soccer coach,” said D’Andrea. “We conducted a search for Julie [Carlson’s] replacement and believe we had the right coach already on our campus. After several interviews and with the assistance of President Whitaker we decided that Sarah is the right choice to lead our soccer program.”

Jacobs holds her USSF National "D" License and has served in a variety of roles in several different soccer organizations over the past several years, including serving as camp coach, youth coach and club administrator.

“I believe we have a bright future and ample potential to grow and improve as players and people both on and off the field,” added Jacobs. “The team has had an excellent spring, and I anticipate a successful fall season as a result of their hard work and commitment.”

She earned her Bachelor's degree in mathematics teaching from Clemson and earned a Masters of Education from Anderson in 2013.

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Andrea Bigler

Andrea Bigler (Bigs) was named as an assistant coach for the Trojans in early July 2018.

Prior to joining Jacob’s staff, Bigler was the Director of Operations and Player Development at Vanderbilt University. Prior to that two season stint, Bigler was an assistant coach at Taylor University for the 2015-16 season.

Bigler graduated from the University of Toledo in 2010 with a degree in exercise science and a concentration in kinesiotherapy. Following her undergraduate work, Bigler earned a master's degree in biomedical science human donation science from the University of Toledo's Medical Center in 2012. While at Toledo, Bigler was a two-year member of the varsity women's soccer team and was part of the 2006 team that finished as Mid-American Conference Champions.

Bigler joins the Black and Gold having already gained much success as a soccer coach. During her time as the head coach for the Ottawa Hills High School girl's varsity soccer team, Bigler led the team to consecutive Northwest Ohio High School Soccer League Championships in 2012 and 2013, and was named the league's Girls Varsity Coach of the Year in both of those seasons.

The Canton, Ohio native has also gained valuable coaching experience with Canton United Soccer Club, The Pacesetter Soccer Club and Maumee Express Soccer Club.

Bigler is certified as a U.S. Soccer D Licensed Coach, holds an NSCAA Goalkeeper Level 1 diploma, participated in True North Sports' Assistant Coach Immersion Program, holds a certification in Fundamentals of Coaching and a registered Kinesiotherapist by The American Board for Registration of Kinesiotherapists.