STATESBORO - Georgia Southern Director of Athletics Jared Benko has tabbed former Lander University men's soccer head coach Lee Squires to the same position at Georgia Southern, as announced Wednesday. Squires comes to Statesboro from the Greenwood, South Carolina-based school, where he compiled a 100-27-19 record over an eight-year span that included three undefeated regular seasons.
 
"We are excited to welcome Lee and his family to Statesboro," said Georgia Southern Director of Athletics Jared Benko. "From the outset of the search, we sought out candidates who had demonstrated the ability to win at a high level and were a good fit here at Georgia Southern. Lee has demonstrated the ability to lead an elite program and his vision for Georgia Southern Men's Soccer was extremely impressive. I look forward to watching our team's progress and growth under Lee and his staff's direction. Hail Southern!"
 
Squires' career at Lander saw him take the program to great heights, including winning several Peach Belt Conference regular season championships (2016, 2017, 2020 and 2022), PBC Tournament Championships in 2017 and 2022, and a Southeast Region title in 2018.
 
Players Squires coached earned 47 all-conference honors, 24 All-PBC Tournament accolades with two MVP designations, 17 all-region nods, three All-American distinctions, and three Scholar All-American awards. Lander would finish in the top 25 in three seasons, including a No. 5 final ranking in 2018 and 2020.
 
"I would like to thank President Marrero, Director of Athletics Jared Benko, Chief Operating Officer of Athletics Chris Davis, and the entire search committee for this opportunity," Squires said. "I am humbled and honored to be the one chosen to lead such a historic program. It was clear from the beginning that the ambition, vision and passion for Georgia Southern Athletics match my motivation and desire to lead the program moving forward.
 
"I look forward to competing in one of the best conferences in D1 men's soccer and work towards building a championship program on and off the field …one that the alumni, supporters and local community are excited to get behind and are proud of," Squires continued. "There is so much potential for this program and I can't wait to get going! It's a special honor for my family and I, and we look forward to joining the Eagle family!
 
"I would also like to thank Coach Jeff May for the initial opportunity to lead the program at Lander University, and to Director of Athletics Brian Reese for his support throughout," Squires concluded. "I couldn't be more thankful for the faculty, staff and assistant coaches I have worked with, or more proud of all the student-athletes I have worked with through the years. I will miss Lander tremendously, but I am eager to get to work in this new and exciting challenge that lies ahead."
 
While at Lander, Squires was named the first head coach for Greenville FC, where he compiled a 9-9-7 record in two seasons. Twelve of his players from GVFC would go on to sign professional contracts, including a player who was drafted into the MLS.
 
Before Lander, Squires was the head coach of Lees-McRae College, where he went 40-29-7 in four seasons. L-MC participated in the 2011 Division II NCAA Tournament, Squires' first season, after winning the Conference Carolinas West Division and finishing as runner-up in the conference tournament.
 
Since 2011, Squires has also served as the assistant coach for the North Carolina Olympic Development Program and was the head coach for the 2011 HSA Force '98 in Premier UK Soccer.
 
Squires, a native of Sheffield, England, played collegiate soccer at Lees-McRae, where he was a three-year captain and is still the program's all-time leading scorer with 67 goals and 149 points in his four seasons. As a player, L-MC won the Conference Carolinas regular season championship every season and the conference tournament in three of his four seasons there. The team appeared in four NCAA tournaments and finished as national runner-up in the 2009 Division II NCAA Tournament.
 
The Conference Carolinas Player of the Year in 2008 and 2010, Squires was an NSCAA All-American in 2007 and 2008, and a Daktronics All-American in 2007, 2008 and 2010. He was also named the conference tournament MVP in 2007 and was selected to the conference all-tournament team in 2008 and 2010. He earned Academic All-Conference honors in 2011 and 2012.
 
He earned his bachelor's degree in business administration and was a member of the Sigma Beta Delta Business Honors Society. Squires received a Master's degree in sport administration from Arkansas State University.
 
He played for the United Soccer League's Premier Development League, representing the Ocean City Nor'eaters in 2008 and the SC United Bantams in 2012.
 
Squires is married to the former Sadie Williams and they have a daughter Isabelle, as well as a son, William.