Piper soccer team gets new coach

January 23, 2006

Chris McNaughton is the new Lyon College Pipers soccer coach. The 27-year-old Missouri native was hired recently to take the reins of the three-year-old program. He previously served as an assistant coach for the Ottawa (Kan.) University women’s and men’s soccer teams the past four seasons.
The Lady Braves and Braves won three regular-season conference championships and reached the regional playoffs during that span.

As a player, McNaughton earned all-state honors his senior year at Harrisonville (Mo.) High School and all-conference recognition his two years at Ottawa, where he earned his undergraduate and masters degrees in Business Administration. He attended Missouri Valley College in Marshall before transferring to Ottawa.

“We’re pleased to have Coach McNaughton with us,” Lyon Athletic Director Terry Garner said. “He comes from an excellent program at Ottawa. He has a good soccer background with good experience in recruiting and coaching. We’re looking forward to the good things we know he’s going to bring to our soccer program.”

McNaughton steps in for Jeremy Bishop, who coaches the Scots’ soccer team. Bishop coached the Scots and Pipers last fall. McNaughton will also serve as an assistant coach of the men's team.

McNaughton visited Batesville for the first time on Nov. 9 when he came here for his job interview.
Since then, McNaughton has visited with many of the Pipers.

Last season, the Pipers posted records of 3-14 (overall) and 2-4 (TranSouth Athletic Conference).