Ex-Clearwater star to coach Temple soccer

Former Clearwater Christian College All-American Jonathan Perkins has been hired as men's and women's soccer coach at Tennessee Temple University.

Perkins is a 2001 graduate of the Florida college, where he was a three-time National Christian College Athletic Association All-South Region selection and a two-time NCCAA All-American. He later coached the boys' soccer team at Citrus Park Christian School in Tampa, Fla., and took the team to the Florida Christian schools state final four both years. He also has assisted in Olympic Development Program work in the Washington, D.C. area.

A Richmond native who grew up in Leesburg, Va., Perkins has a master's degree in Christian education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He is near a master of divinity degree.

"He's not far from sitting in a pastor's chair. He already has been an interim pastor as well as a youth pastor," Tennessee Temple athletic director John Secord said. "I feel his experience on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to our soccer programs."

Perkins was one of four finalists brought in for interviews out of more than 20 applicants, Secord said. He succeeds Matt Smith as coach of both teams. Smith was let go after the 2008 season.

Perkins, who is 29 and single, said he had not applied for another coaching position but pursued the TTU job after being informed of the vacancy.

"I feel called to disciple college-age young men and women, and God gave me the gift of soccer," he said. "I just want to use the talent he has given me."