Crippen Announced as New Head Men's Soccer Coach

ATHENS, Tenn.- The men's soccer program will have a familiar voice as the head coach. Vice President and Director of Athletics Donny Mayfield announced Codi Crippen will step from the assistant coach position to the head coach position as the next head men's soccer coach at Tennessee Wesleyan University on Monday. 

Crippen, who spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach for the men's soccer team at TWU, will look to continue the success of the men's soccer program achieved under the leadership of former head coach Luke Winter.

"During our search, Codi emerged early as a leading candidate after showing his dedication and passion for the team over the past four seasons," stated Mayfield. "I look forward to seeing Codi's growth as the head coach of the men's soccer program," added Mayfield.

Before becoming a member of the Bulldogs coaching staff, Crippen spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Thomas University, ending his time with the program as the interim head coach. During his three seasons with Thomas, he helped lead the team to The Sun Conference Men's Soccer Tournament each season, including winning the 2018 The Sun Conference Regular-Season Championship along with a runner-up finish in the conference tournament that same season.

Prior to his time at Thomas, Crippen made a coaching stop at NCAA Division III school Huntingdon College from 2014-2017, where he served as an assistant coach and goalkeeper coach. While at Huntingdon, Crippen had a goalkeeper be named USA South Player of the Week four times. Before going to Huntingdon, Crippen gained experience coaching in the state of Tennessee when he served as a graduate assistant for the women's soccer program at Bethel University from 2012-2014 and earned a Master's of Education degree.

Crippen is a native of Zanesville, Ohio and played at the University of Rio Grande where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sport and Exercise Studies in 2011 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education in 2012. While playing for Rio Grande, Crippen helped the team advance to the NAIA National Tournament all four years he played, finishing in the Round of 16 twice, as the national runner-up in 2008 and in the semifinals in 2009, compiling a 69-13-8 overall record. He served as a volunteer assistant at Rio Grande from 2010-2012.

"I am really excited to have the opportunity to lead this program. The players have had a lot of success over the past ten years that I hope to continue," expressed Crippen. "The players have been extremely receptive of me, and they know what we continue to works towards in the standards of the program. I am extremely thankful for the support of the administration for selecting me to be the head coach at Tennessee Wesleyan."

Crippen currently holds United States Soccer Federation National C and D Licenses along with a Premier Diploma, Advanced National Diploma, and Goalkeeping Level one and two from the United Soccer Coaches.