Coaches

Bobby McColl

Bobby McColl was named the fifth head coach in program history in November 2018, after serving three seasons as head coach of the men’s program at NCAA Division II Daemen College.


Known for his tactical awareness on the pitch and his ability to recruit strong student-athletes, Coach McColl's background in sports ministry and passion for investing in young men have made him an excellent addition to the Houghton coaching staff.


During his time on the sideline at Burke Field, McColl's Highlanders have posted an overall record of 18-21-5. Over the past two seasons they have finished with a conference record of 10-3, earning post-season berths both seasons, and sharing claim to the 2020-21 regular season conference championship.


Over the past three seasons, 14 Houghton men's soccer players have earned all-conference honors, and two have received regional recognition from the NCCAA.


Prior to his stint at Daemen, McColl served as the head women's coach at Roberts Wesleyan College, leading that program to a 35-20-5 overall record in three seasons during the program’s move to NCAA Division II. In his final season with the Redhawks, McColl led the team to the championship game of the East Coast Conference Tournament and an at-large berth in the NCAA Division II National Championships while achieving an overall record of 12-5-3. His team also qualified for the NCCAA National Tournament, and he was named NCCAA East Region Coach of the Year.


A native of Glasgow, Scotland, McColl earned his first head coaching opportunity with the men's team at Greenville College (Ill.) in 2012, leading that NCAA Division III program to an overall mark of 10-6-3 and a second-place finish in the Saint Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with a league record of 5-0-3. He was named the NCCAA North Central Region Coach of the Year following the campaign. In addition to his duties with the men's team at Greenville, he also served as the top assistant with the Panthers' women's team that season.


Prior to his three head coaching stints, McColl cut his teeth as an assistant coach with both the men's and women's programs at Roberts Wesleyan from 2010-11. He's also worked as an assistant coach with the Rochester Ravens of the United Soccer Leagues' W-League, a North American women's soccer developmental organization, as well as with the Western New York Olympic Development program.


He has led short-term missions trips to El Salvador and Nicaragua as a coach and served as a student intern and player with the Chicago Eagles of Missionary Athletes International while a college student-athlete.


McColl holds a bachelor’s degree in sports and wellness management from Trinity International University (Ill.), which he attained in 2009. He later added a master’s degree in strategic leadership from Roberts Wesleyan.


McColl competed for three seasons at Union University (Tenn.) before finishing his collegiate career at Trinity International. He holds additional playing experience with the Scotland under-19 national team, as well as with Motherwell F.C. in the Scottish Premier League.