University of Arkansas assistant head coach Kristi Kiely completed her second season with Razorback Soccer after being named into the position on March 27, 2015.
Kiely helped guide the Razorbacks in 2016 to an all-time record 18-5-1 mark and accomplish several historic program milestones. Season highlights would include a pair of wins against two top-five programs in 2016, both at home: Against then-No. 2 Duke on Aug. 26 and against then-No. 4 Florida on Sept. 16. The victory against Duke was the program’s first win against a top-10 opponent in school history while the win against the Gators was the program’s first win in 21 attempts.
These positive results, combined with other victories against quality opponents in 2016 would propel Arkansas to its highest ranking in national polls and NCAA RPI standings: The Razorbacks would conclude the 2016 season ranked No. 19 in the nation after peaking at No. 11 in early October, and the team climbed to as high as No. 9 in NCAA RPI rankings in late September. The Razorbacks would compete in their first SEC Tournament championship match since 1996 after defeating Vanderbilt and Auburn in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds, respectively, and would also earn its third NCAA Tournament bid in four years.
Kiely joined the Razorbacks after five years at the helm of Westmont College’s women’s soccer program. She posted a record of 65-26-10 (.693) at Westmont and took the program to the NAIA National Tournament in each of the last four years. In 2014, the Warriors finished as NAIA national runner-up under Kiely’s guidance.
Kiely arrived at Westmont in the fall of 2001 as a freshman and started all 19 games. During her four years as a player, Kiely was a part of three National Championship teams (2001, 2002, 2003). She currently ranks third all-time at Westmont in career assists (30).
Following graduation, Kiely played professionally in Stockholm, Sweden for nearly a year. In the summer of 2008, she returned to Westmont to begin serving on the Warrior staff as an assistant. The following summer, she joined the coaching staff of Glendora FC of the W-League, before landing the head coaching position at her alma mater in 2010. In the summer of 2010.
As a coach, Kiely was named the 2014 Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) Coach of the Year after the Warriors claimed a share of the GSAC regular season championship and won the GSAC Tournament. Under her watch, 12 Warriors were named NAIA All-Americans and 20 earned All-GSAC honors. Academically, Kiely’s players have been recognized as NAIA and GSAC Scholar-Athletes on 15 occasions and have been honored as CoSIDA Academic All-Americans four times.
Kiely’s Westmont Record – Head Coach
2010 7-8-3
2011 13-6-1 (NAIA National Tournament – 2nd Rd)
2012 12-6-1 (NAIA National Tournament – 1st Rd)
2013 17-2-5 (NAIA National Tournament – National Runner-Up)
2014 16-4-0 (NAIA National Tournament – 2nd Rd)
Total 65-26-10
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT KIELY
“I am a huge fan of Kristy Kiely. She is both an amazing coach, and perhaps more importantly, a woman of immense character. I’ve known her for many years now and have always been incredibly impressed with how she runs her program, the quality with which her teams play and how her players respond to her mentorship. It is no accident that she has been so successful. I think it is a fantastic hire for the University of Arkansas soccer program and I have no doubt the Razorback players will quickly see and feel what I’ve long known. Congratulations on such a wonderful addition to your staff.”
- Tim Ward- Head Coach, Pepperdine
“I believe Arkansas made a fantastic addition to their women’s soccer program and athletic department. Coach Kiely is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the game of soccer and even more passionate about the personal development of student-athletes. Kristi is a winner. Not only has Arkansas found a great coach for their program, they have found an even better person. I’m a huge believer that the addition of Coach Kiely to Arkansas will not only prove to be a great move for the program in the short-term, but also in the long-term future as well.”
- Allen Hopkins – Soccer analyst for Fox Soccer, NBC Sports and ESPNFC and former pro soccer player
“I couldn’t be more excited about Kristi and what she brings,” said Hale. “In our pursuit of SEC championships and our goal of getting to a College Cup, we knew exactly what we were looking for and she was the ideal fit. Her ability to connect with players and recruits, her coaching personality, her ties to an untapped recruiting hotbed, her set of values and what she believes to be important all matched perfectly. Whenever I spoke to people about her they always mentioned a combination of character, drive and talent. I know our players are excited for her to get here. She is a great coach and a fantastic role model.”
- Colby Hale – Head Coach, University of Arkansas
