Lee University women's soccer coach Matt Yelton has been hired as director of coaching for the East Ridge youth soccer program.A perennial national champion has been hired as director of coaching for the East Ridge youth soccer program.
Matt Yelton, whose Lee University women's program has won the last four NAIA titles, is adding the East Ridge Futbol responsibilities to his primary job with the Cleveland school. He sees it as a chance to improve American soccer at least in southeastern Tennessee.
"I've been a part of the Chattanooga soccer community for 10 years now," Yelton said Tuesday, "and this is a unique opportunity to get more involved and help in the development of youth soccer, and that includes two of my own."
Several of his Lee seniors-to-be played for him previously in the East Ridge Soccer Association that previously inhabited Camp Jordan Park. He will develop the curriculum for the young recreation teams as well as the select sides for East Ridge Futbol. He has a daughter and a son in the younger ranks.
"What we're going to do is very unique," Yelton said. "From the time players come into our program at 5 years old, we'll have a plan for where we take them up to the age of 18."
That includes a "technical plan" for the entire rec program, an "academy" for ages 9-12 and tactical development for the older players.
"I'm really excited about it and looking forward to it," Yelton said.
Stump Martin, the recently hired director of parks and recreation for the city of East Ridge, said Yelton was the man he wanted for the soccer "Evolution."
"He's got impeccable character and is one of the top coaches in the entire United States of America," Martin said. "We feel privileged to have somebody running our program with his credentials."