EJ O’Keeffe, two-time Big-South Coach of the Year at High Point University, is returning to his alma mater, UNC Greensboro, as the Spartans men’s head soccer coach.
O’Keeffe played three seasons for the Spartans. Leading the team to the 2008 Southern Conference championship and the NCAA College Cup Sweet Sixteen.
“This is an exciting day for our men’s soccer program,” said Director of Athletics Kim Record. “EJ was chosen following an extensive national search and stood out with a proven track record of success and as an alum has the passion for what the history and tradition of UNCG soccer is all about.”
O’Keeffe is a Greensboro, NC native, who was a standout defender at Western Guilford High School.
He has been on staff for nine seasons at HPU, including the last four years as the Panthers head coach. His 2018 team was ranked as #12 nationally. is also an official US Soccer National Team Scout and is a member of the United Soccer Coaches National Ranking Committee, United Soccer Coaches Regional Ranking Committee and the NCAA Regional Ranking Committee along with being a MLS Combine Scout/Liaison.
“I’m excited to come home,” O’Keeffe said. “UNCG is close to my heart along with so many alums. There is a rich tradition at UNCG Soccer and I look to add to that. We have a lot of work to do but I’m excited and humbled to lead the program moving forward.”
O’Keeffe brought an unprecedented level of success to High Point’s men’s soccer program during his four seasons at the helm, collecting a 42-18-17 record and a final national top 30 ranking each of the last three years. His Panthers were Big South regular season champions during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
Individually, O’Keeffe was named Big South Coach of the Year both seasons as well and his coaching staff was selected as the 2018 United Soccer Coaches Staff of the Year for the South Region.
The Panthers’ best season in program history came during a 2018 campaign in which High Point had its best single-season winning percentage (.844). High Point won its first four games of the season en route to a 13-3-2 record.
O’Keeffe replaces Justin Maullin, who’s contract was not renewed following the 2018 season. Maullin led the program for nine seasons after previously serving as an assistant coach from 2005-09. He posted an overall record of 81-73-24 and a 42-24-10 mark in Southern Conference play.