Chris Cissell Named Head Women's Soccer Coach
4/27/2011 5:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Cissell has spent a combined 20 seasons at William Jewell as the head coach for the men's and women 's soccer programs, he also served as the director of the soccer programs for the past 11 seasons.
"I have known Chris a long time, he has done a great job at William Jewell and that combined with his other soccer experiences made him the right person for the job," said UMKC head men's soccer coach Rick Benben. "We are exceptionally lucky to have him and his family."
"I look forward to working under the leadership of Tim Hall to build a first class NCAA Division I women's soccer program, one that the UMKC community and the entire Kansas City soccer community can be proud of," said Cissell. "This is a dream come true for me and my family. We are honored, humbled and excited to have this opportunity in our hometown. I feel extremely blessed and I can't wait to get started."
While at William Jewell, Cissell compiled a 279-92-21 overall record in his 20 seasons as head coach. In that time, he has achieved top-10 national rankings with both the men's and women's soccer programs and compiled three Final Four appearances, two with the men and one with the women. Cissell has had eight squads make NAIA National Tournament appearances.
Cissell was named the NSCAA/adidas NAIA Men's National Coach of the Year in 2006 and was a 2010 National Coach of the Year finalist. He has coached 37 all-Americans and mentored 45 Academic all-Americans.
Cissell coached the women's program to a 165-43-11 overall record in 11 seasons. The Cardinals earned three conference championships, four NSCAA Team Academic Awards and three NSCAA Team Ethics Awards. The 2003 squad finished ranked third in the nation in the top-25 poll and the 2004 squad was the NAIA Region Champions. Cissell was a four-time Heart of America Athletic Conference Coach of the Year and was the 2003 NAIA Region Coach of the Year and NSCAA/adidas Midwest Coach of the Year.
He served as the men's head coach for nine seasons, compiling a 114-49-10 overall record. The Cardinals were the 2006 NAIA Region Champions, earned two conference championships and earned four NSCAA Team Academic Awards. The squad was ranked No. 1 in the National rankings poll for two weeks in 2007 and have consistently been in the top-25 during his time. Cissell was a three-time Conference Coach of the Year and a two-time NAIA Region Coach of the Year.
Cissell has served as the Director of the William Jewell College all-Star Soccer Camps and Clinics since 1999. He has also been the Director of Coaching for Premier Youth Soccer Club since July 2000. Cissell was the first-ever Director of Youth Development for the Kansas City Wizards Junior Soccer Club, while coaching a William Jewell.
Cissell was elected as the NAIA Region V chair, regional and nation rater, serving from 2005 to the present. He was also a member of the NAIA all-American selection committee from 2005-2011.
Prior to his appointment at William Jewell, Cissell worked as the Youth Soccer Sales Manager for the Wizards and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Cissell earned his B.A. in Communications with an emphasis in business administration from William Jewell in 1994. He is a C-Licensed, United States Soccer Federation coach and holds a National Soccer Coaches Association of America National Diploma.
