While the football team begins gearing up for the 2001-’02 campaign, another fall sport prepares at the same time. Oregon women’s soccer coach Bill Steffen has added a new assistant to his coaching staff.
Veteran soccer coach Jon Kiester has joined the program, replacing departed assistant coach Beth Sheppard.
The former college, club and high school coach will handle the Ducks’ recruiting responsibilities. Kiester has recruiting channels all the way from Hawaii to Texas.
“Jon’s background is outstanding for what we need here,” Steffen said. “He’s from Southern California, has coached and competed in Hawaii, coached extensively in the Los Angeles area and most recently worked in the Big 12 at Baylor, as well as coached in Texas. Those are some of the best areas for recruiting, along with his varied background with coaching at different levels. Jon will be a tremendous help from a recruiting and coaching standpoint.”
Kiester, 32, helped recruit one of the top “10 Percent” classes in the nation in 2000 at Baylor, according to Soccer Buzz, an Internet magazine.
Kiester graduated from Hawaii-Pacific in 1994 before playing professionally for the Hawaii Tsunami. Kiester brings in coaching experience from Baylor, El Camino junior college, South HS (Torrance, Calif.) and Fram Soccer Club.
He holds a United States Soccer Federation “D” license and an NSCAA Advanced National Diploma.