RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Manhattan College has promoted Jorden Scott to head men's soccer coach. Scott becomes the eighth head coach in the program's 46 year history succeeding his predecessor Ashley Hammond. The three-year Jasper assistant has been instrumental in revitalizing the program since his arrival in Riverdale. Scott brings over 15 years of coaching and playing experience at the collegiate and club levels to the position.
"Jorden has done a tremendous job building the Manhattan soccer program with Ashley Hammond over the past three seasons. The men's soccer team has excelled academically and athletically under their leadership, and we are excited for Jorden to have this opportunity to continue to guide us to new heights," said Director of Athletics Bob Byrnes.
Serving as the Jaspers' top assistant, Scott helped lead a rebuilding process that has resulted in eight wins and two ties in the past two seasons. Over his three years in Riverdale, Scott oversaw the day-to-day operations of the men's soccer team, including practice planning, scouting, strength and conditioning, and recruiting. He has also served as the team liaison between the support areas within the Athletic Department and on campus, as well as with the NCAA and conference administrators.
"I feel truly honored to be given this opportunity to build on the foundation we have worked so hard to lay over the past three years," said Scott. "Being a part of the Jasper family and sharing in its values and ambitions daily has been a privilege and will allow us to achieve even greater success in the future."
Inheriting a team that won only one game in 2009, the new Manhattan coaching staff lifted the Jaspers to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) championship game in 2011 for only the second time in program history. The Jaspers mounted a four-match unbeaten streak entering the postseason, and then recorded thrilling victories over Loyola and Iona to give Manhattan its first shot at the conference crown since (1994).
The Jaspers have also excelled off the turf during Scott's tenure. He has mentored 13 MAAC All-Academic Team honorees, nearly doubling the Jasper student-athletes who received the award in each of his seasons with the program.
Additionally, Scott has spearheaded a global recruiting effort to bring some of the top talent to Riverdale. His first recruiting class featured a MAAC All-Rookie Team selection. The strong recruiting pipeline has drawn top local student-athletes from the metro area, but has reached distances such as Europe, New Zealand and Canada, attracting premier international players.
"Ashley Hammond has been instrumental in my personal development and growth for the past nine years, so I would like give him a special thanks," said Scott. "I am excited about the future of this program and cannot wait to welcome the players back at the end of January to begin this new era."
Before arriving at Manhattan, Scott served as the Academy Director at Sports Domain Academy in Montclair, N.J., from 2003-2010. In this role, he trained players 18 years and under across the tri-state region. During his tenure at Sports Domain Academy, several of Scott's teams have earned state and national recognition. He led the FDFC Gauchos (U16 boys) to the 2010 U.S. Youth National Championships in Phoenix, after winning the New Jersey State Cup and capturing the Region 1 title.
From 2004-2008, Scott worked as the Football for Life Program Director in Maun & Kasane, Botswana (Africa) training over 300 children ages 7 to 15 living in poverty.
In the United Kingdom, Scott was the head coach of the University of Glamorgan (1st Team) from 2001-03 which competed at an elite level within British University Sport. He also spent two years as the head coach of the men's and women's national teams at the University of Wales Athletic Union.
Scott played five years (1993-97) as a youth professional with Ayr United FC in Scotland. At the collegiate level, he was the team captain of the first team at University of Glamorgan and for Wales Universities.
Scott earned his bachelor's degree in sports psychology from the University of Glamorgan in 2002. He earned a master's degree in physical and special education at Montclair State University in 2012. Scott holds NSCAA Advanced National Diploma and a UEFA B coaching license.