Greene resigning as head women's soccer coach

Dec. 8, 2014

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Derek Greene has announced that he will resign after four years as Vanderbilt University’s head women’s soccer coach. The resignation will be effective Dec. 31, 2014.

“This was a very difficult decision to make,” Greene said. “I love coaching college soccer; I’ve coached for nearly 20 years. And I’ve enjoyed coaching at Vanderbilt and in the Southeastern Conference. It’s been an honor. But at the same time, so much has changed in recent years with respect to recruiting and managing a large roster. I have three children under the age of five and this lifestyle is not conducive to what I think my role as a father should be.”

Greene had been at Vanderbilt as an assistant coach for one year before he was named head coach in November 2011 after having served as the interim head coach for five months. He made recruiting a high priority and in the ensuing years steadily raised the talent and competitive level of the Commodores.

“Our staff has worked very hard to improve our program and I am confident we have done that,” Greene said. “We were close to turning the corner this year and I wish this young team with so much promise all the best in the future.”

“It is clear that the program has progressed under Derek’s leadership,” Director of Athletics David Williams said. “We have some outstanding young talent and a fine incoming recruiting class as the result of his good work. We are appreciative of his efforts and wish him and his family the very best in the years to come.”

While competing in the nation’s top-rated conference in 2014, the Commodores produced six shutouts, up from just one in 2013, with freshman goalkeeper Christiana Ogunsami earning starts in every game.

Simone Charley and Lydia Simmons both gained All-SEC recognition and Charley was named to the NSCAA All-South Team. The 2014 season also saw the Commodores rank near the top in every possession category in the SEC.

The 2013 season saw the ‘Dores produce more goals than the program had seen since 2005, while posting the highest grade point average in recorded program history. The 2013 Commodores saw two players gain All-SEC recognition, with Charley being selected as a member of the All-Freshman team. The 2013 non-conference portion of the schedule produced wins over nationally ranked Memphis and Wisconsin.

Greene’s coaching career has been highlighted by success at a number of schools in the Southeast. Greene’s most notable prior stop was at Ole Miss. Hired as an assistant coach before being promoted to associate head coach, Greene helped lead the Rebels to three NCAA Tournament appearances.

Greene helped guide Ole Miss to seven consecutive Southeastern Conference Tournament berths  including an SEC Western Division title and second-place overall finish in 2005  and recruited four Freshman All-America selections to Oxford.

“I want to say a special thank you to all of the Vanderbilt staff,” Greene said. “Specifically, my assistants Sebastian Vecchio and Christine Husni for their tireless efforts in helping advance the program and bring the type of student-athlete it takes to compete in this conference. Also, special thanks to Lori Alexander and the athletics management team for the support they gave us.”

Vanderbilt has begun a national search, which will be coordinated by Associate Director of Athletics Lori Alexander.