Samantha Parker joins the Austin Peay women’s soccer coaching staff with ample experience as both an assistant and interim head coach. A native of Clarksville, Ark., Parker was most recently a member of the University of the Ozarks body, a tenure which began in November 2014.
Parker served as an assistant for the Eagles before receiving an opportunity to become interim head coach following a change. She held the position for three months, and was responsible for all aspects of the program, including developing winter workouts and managing office tasks.
On the training grounds, Parker served as a defensive-minded instructor who trained goalkeepers and developed strategies for the back line. In addition, she was the head recruiter for the 2015 and 2016 classes. Eleven of the current Lady Eagles players under her were named to the 2014 Fall American Southwest Conference All-Academic Team, with the team as a whole earning a NSCAA Academic Award.
Aside from her involvement at the collegiate level, Parker was the head coach for AVSA U13G Travel Team beginning in January 2015.
Prior to that, she managed club soccer for Ohio University as both a coach and graduate teaching assistant. With a degree in Kinesiology from the University of North Texas, Parker utilized her knowledge of the field to teach a variety of Physical Education courses for undergraduate students.
Throughout 2012 and 2013, Parker focused on helping the younger generation of players in two locations. First, she worked with kids ages five and up to improve their speed, power, and agility at Velocity Sports. After a one-year tenure, she became involved with Play Soccer Appalachia, a non-profit organization for local Southeast Ohio Elementary School.
Parker received an internship for FC Dallas Youth and Women’s Premier League in the summer of 2011 where she assisted in running the Select, Academy, and FCD MLS Academy teams.
As an athlete, Parker played competitive soccer in North Texas beginning in 1996. A captain for Dr. John Horn High School, she helped lead her school to the 5A playoffs. She also competed on a couple club teams in LHGCL Division II – 02-06 Comets and 06-09 Sting.
