SAN ANTONIO -- Ashley Holland has been named the assistant soccer coach at UTSA, it was announced by head coach Derek Pittman on Monday.
"I would like to thank Derek for believing in me and bringing me on staff at UTSA," Holland said. "I look forward to being part of a program that has high standards for success and great support from the school. The pride the girls have in each other and the program shows in the success they have achieved so far. I can't wait to be a part in the bright future of this program."
Holland comes to the Roadrunners after spending the 2021 season as an assistant with East Carolina. She previously worked for IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., was the head coach at LSU Shreveport for three seasons and was an assistant coach at her alma mater, Benedictine for two seasons.
"We are really excited to be adding a coach of Ashley's abilities to our coaching staff," Pittman said. "I am always looking to add people to our program that challenge us and help us continue chasing growth, and Ashley does exactly that. Her experience as a top player, coach and director of goalkeeping at IMG will be extremely valuable to our team. Not only is she a high-quality coach but she is a high-character individual that will add value to our staff and department immediately."
During her season in Greenville, N.C., Holland helped lead the Pirates to an eight-win season, including six wins at home and a 3-3-2 mark in The American. The Pirates finished the year with five wins in their final seven outings, including a regular-season win over No. 23 Memphis. ECU finished the year with a 1.36 goals-against average, owning five shutouts and 77 total saves in 258 shots faced.
While at IMG Academy, Holland served as the goalkeeper coach at the elite sports training facility, working with players from the U-13 and U-19 level. She worked with goalkeepers from the US Youth National Teams and Puerto Rico Senior National Team. She also helped guide players through the collegiate recruiting process and created individual training plans.
Prior to her time at IMG, Holland served as the head coach at LSU Shreveport for three seasons. Holland helped reestablish the program which had been dormant for five years. The Pilots recorded a 26-24-5 record under Holland, highlighted by a 13-5-2 mark in 2018 which included winning the program's first-ever Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) Championship and earning a berth in the NAIA National Tournament. Holland tutored the first NAIA All-American in program history, when Kati-Jayde Cunningham was an honorable mention All-America in 2018, and nine players earned a combined 12 All-Conference honors under Holland, led by Mason Richardson being named the RRAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2018.
Holland started her collegiate coaching career at her alma mater, Benedictine [Kan.]. She served as the team's first assistant and goalkeeper coach from 2015 to 2017. Under Holland's watch, Benedictine went a combined 42-6-1, winning a pair of Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) regular season and tournament championships. The Ravens made history by reaching the NAIA National Tournament Semifinals for the first time in program history in 2015.
Holland has also worked at the club and Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) levels. She was the Head Club Coach and Goalkeeper Director for FC Dallas East Texas Club from 2018 to 2020 and also served as an assistant coach for the Shreveport Lady Rafters of the WPSL, training the goalkeepers during each training session.
Holland had a successful playing career at Benedictine before moving onto the coaching staff. She appeared in 65 games as the Ravens' goalkeeper, compiling an overall record of 45-10-5 with 24 career shutouts. She was named the HAAC Defensive Player of the Year as well as a member of the All-HAAC First-Team following a senior season in which Holland helped Benedictine to a top-10 ranking in NAIA and a berth in the NAIA Quarterfinals. She also helped the Ravens win a pair of HAAC regular season championships and a HAAC Championship title and was named to the HAAC First-Team in 2013 and Second-Team in 2012.
Holland earned a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Athletic Training and Physical Education from Benedictine in 2014. She then went on to earn her Master's in Business Administration degree from Benedictine in 2017.
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