Ashley Gordon Hired as Head Soccer Coach at Texas A&M University-Commerce

By Lion Athletics

COMMERCE – Texas A&M University-Commerce has announced the hiring of Ashley Gordon as head coach of the Lions’ soccer program.
 
Gordon, who brings over 30 years of coaching and playing experience, becomes the third coach in the 26-year history of the Lion Soccer program as they transition into NCAA Division I as members of the Southland Conference.
 
“It is a distinct pleasure to welcome Ashley Gordon as the next leader of our Lion soccer program,” Director of Athletics Tim McMurray said. “Her student-athlete relationship skills, authentic communication style, passion for comprehensive program success, and demonstrated recruiting acumen in the state of Texas lead the list of qualities that make her the right institutional fit for our program.”
 
“She is also a proven winner at the collegiate level, an excellent motivator, game day tactician, and developer of talent.  Additionally, her decorated playing career has garnered her the highest levels of respect within the vibrant north Texas soccer community.  We are blessed and fortunate to welcome Ashley, her husband Aaron, and their daughters Addison and Avery to our Lion Family.”
 
Gordon comes to Commerce from FC Dallas, where she has been the Junior Academy Director and staff coach for the FC Dallas Girls Academy in the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL). She has coached numerous players who went on to play for Division I teams, including several Power Five schools in and around the Lone Star State.
 
Prior to her stop at FC Dallas, Gordon coached for 11 years in the collegiate ranks, including nine years at the Division I level and winning a NJCAA National Championship.
 
Her most recent collegiate coaching stop came at Mississippi State, where she was assistant coach for the 2013-16 seasons, helping the Bulldogs achieve their most successful season in a decade in 2015. She recruited the program’s first draft pick into a professional women’s soccer league and the program’s first player to be invited to a US National Team Training Camp. 
 
Gordon began her career as a Division I coach at Texas Tech for the 2008-12 seasons. The Red Raiders became a contender for the Big XII championship and Gordon was part of the program’s first trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2012. The Red Raiders were ranked No. 25 to end the 2012 season, which was the program’s first national ranking.
 
With Gordon on the staff, the Red Raiders won more overall and conference games during her five seasons in Lubbock, than the previous nine year span. She coached six all-region selections and the program’s first All-American, working primarily with forwards and midfielders.
 
“I am humbled and honored to be the next women’s soccer coach at Texas A&M – Commerce. I would like to thank President Rudin and Tim McMurray for giving me this opportunity. In addition, I would like to thank my family, who have given me their full support to accept this position,” said Gordon.
 
“After speaking with Tim and the administration, it was clear of the athletic department’s passion, vision, and commitment to the student-athlete. It is an exciting time here at Texas A&M–Commerce as we make the jump to NCAA Division I athletics. I look forward to competing in the Southland Conference next year. I can’t wait to join the team and get to work!”
 
Gordon reached the pinnacle of the sport in her first collegiate head coaching job at Richland College in Dallas. The Thunderducks won the 2007 NJCAA National Championship. She was named NJCAA Coach of the Tournament and National Soccer Coaches Association of America – now United Soccer Coaches – Coach of the Year for Division III Junior Colleges.  
 
A native of Duncanville, Gordon began her coaching career at her alma mater, Duncanville High School. Throughout her career, Gordon also been an active coach in the Olympic Development Program circuit, serving as a Region III staff coach from 2003-14.
 
After winning the 1990 UIL State Championship as a student-athlete at Duncanville and being named to the all-state and all-UIL tournament teams by the Dallas Morning News, Gordon went on to be a four-year starter at SMU. She was part of three NCAA Tournament appearances for the Mustangs.
 
Gordon played professionally for the Dallas Lightning and Texas Heat of the US Intercontinental Women’s Soccer League. The Lightning won the USASA National Cup in 1996 and 1997. Gordon also played for the US as part of the national poll team, Olympic Festival team, and Olympic regional team. 
 
“The depth and breadth of quality candidates that emerged during this comprehensive search process required a deep level of screening and research to find our next leader.  Specifically, the work of Eric Coleman, Victoria Kisluk, Whitney O’Dell, and Dr. Alex Williams was invaluable as we navigated the process.  Their efforts are appreciated and were Best in Class,” added McMurray.
 
Gordon holds a USSF ‘A’ coaching license and received her Bachelors of Arts degree in psychology from SMU in 1994.
 
She is married to Aaron Gordon, who has served as head coach at FC Dallas Girls Academy and Mississippi State. The Gordons have two daughters, Addison, 21 and Avery, 17.
 
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT COACH GORDON
“Ashley Gordon is a tremendous hire for A&M-Commerce. Her experience in building winning women’s soccer programs at the collegiate and youth levels speaks for itself. Ashley’s ability to recruit and develop her players over four years will be a huge asset during her tenure and she has been successful everywhere she has coached. However, these are just the soccer pieces that make her a great hire. Ashley’s real star quality is her passion for leading young women in sport, her relational skills are off the charts and these women who get to be coached by Ashley Gordon will have a friend/mentor/role model for the rest of their lives. She is truly a remarkable human.”
– Tom Stone, Head Women’s Soccer Coach, Texas Tech
 
“This is a great hire for A&M-Commerce, which will help bring the program into Division I as an immediate contender. Ashley has a great deal of experience as a great player, college coach, and judge of talent. Her recruiting knowledge and contacts across the state will pay immediate dividends for A&M Commerce”
– G Guerrieri, Head Women’s Soccer Coach, Texas A&M 
 
“The hiring of Ashley Gordon is a tremendous hire for A&M-Commerce. She has years of experience in the collegiate game and extremely well connected in the Dallas area. Just having known her on-field coaching and interactions with student-athletes, it is a tremendous hire.”
– Angela Kelly, Head Women’s Soccer Coach, Texas
 
“I am really proud of Ashley, having known her for many years. My daughter played for her at FC Dallas. Having seen her experience in the college game and then jump back into the youth, it has only prepared her to be a better college coach. The modern players are different now, so for her having gone through the different developmental age group is going to be very valuable for scouting, recruiting, and coaching the student-athletes. She has been successful at every level and I could not be happier for her and for A&M-Commerce.”
– Luchi Gonzalez, Assistant coach, US Men’s National Team, Former Head Coach, FC Dallas