June 9, 2009
IOWA CITY, IA – Former Miami (Ohio) assistant Shane Meridith has joined the University of Iowa women’s soccer coaching staff, the announcement coming Tuesday from head coach Ron Rainey.
Meridith replaces former Iowa assistant Eric Golz, who left the program this spring to take a similar position at Clemson.
“Shane brings a passion and enthusiasm for soccer that will help our program immensely,” Rainey said. “I am excited to welcome Shane to the Hawkeye program and I know he will do a great job for us.”
Meridith has prior experience with Rainey, as he was an assistant on Rainey’s staff at Ball State from 2000-01. He also spent one year at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) during the 2003-04 season.
“I am truly excited about joining the coaching staff, the athletic department, and the University of Iowa” Meridith said. “I am looking forward to the challenges that the Big Ten Conference will present.”
Meridith has six years of head coach experience on the Division-III level, coaching at Earlham College in his native Richmond, IN from 1994-2000. His overall record was 53-56-5 with Earlham, including a pair of double-digit win seasons in 1998 (10-7-1) and 1999 (11-5-2). He was named North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Coach of the Year in 1998 and served on the NSCAA Great Lakes Region and Coaches Ranking Committee.
He has held various posts in the club ranks as well. Meridith was previously the head coach for the Carmel United Soccer Club (2002) and has worked as Director of Coaching at Cincinnati’s (OH) Westside Soccer Club. In addition, Meridith was a longtime staff coach for the Indiana Youth Soccer Association (1994-2007) and serves as a Region II staff coach for the United States Youth Soccer Federation. He has a USSF National “A” License.
He was also a four-year letterwinner (1984-87) at Earlham. Meridith was a two-time NAIA all-Mideast selection, a two-time all-district honoree and two-time co-captain in 1986 and 1987. He helped Earlham to a 53-30-4 mark during his college career.
Meridith earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Earlham (1989) and has completed coursework towards a master’s degree in sports psychology from Ball State.
Meridith and his wife, Darcey, have a daughter, Josie (6).