Women's Soccer | 3/14/2024 12:00:00 PM
MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—Jay Harris takes over the helm of the Barry University women's soccer program after spending six seasons leading the South Carolina-Beaufort Sand Sharks, director of athletics Dr. Scott Smith announced today.
"We are so excited about welcoming Jay Harris as Barry University's women's head coach," Smith said. "After a highly competitive national search, Jay stood out as the best fit for our program and our vision for women's soccer going forward. He is a proven winner, great motivator, and a very knowledgeable soccer coach. These traits, combined with his passion to be a part of the Barry University athletic department and lead our women's soccer team, demonstrated this he was the right person for our program."
Harris led the Sand Sharks to a 62-44-6 record as they transitioned from the NAIA Sun Conference into the NCAA Division II Peachbelt Conference. The Sharks posted program-best records in three of his last four years, with four straight 10+ win seasons. In 2023, Harris led the women's soccer team to its best record in program history going 13-4-2, including a perfect 10-0 at home.
"I am honored to be part of BarryU's amazing athletic department and to lead such a successful soccer program," Harris said. "I have enormous respect for the University, its history and tradition. The sincerest of gratitude to Dr. Smith for this opportunity and Mr. [Jamie] Carrig along with the search committee for believing in me. I am relishing the challenge and immensely excited to embark on this new journey."
Harris holds his United Soccer Coaches' Premiere diploma, United States Soccer Federation C License and is studying for his CSCS to become a certified strength and conditioning specialist.
Harris earned his Bachelor's from Tusculum in Business Management in 2005 and his Master's in Exercise Science from Concordia in 2018.
The Bucs went 6-7-3 last season and 2-6-2 in the Sunshine State Conference. But Barry is one of the most storied women's soccer programs in NCAA Division II history, winning three national championships, 14 SSC titles, including 3 tournament championships and earning and divisional record 24 trips to the NCAA Tournament.
