Gordon joins Bulldog soccer staff as assistant coach
Ashley Gordon
Ashley Gordon, who has enjoyed tremendous success as a coach and player, will join husband Aaron Gordon Mississippi State soccer staff as an assistant coach.
Gordon will work with her husband to build a championship program at Mississippi State after helping make Texas Tech a contender in the Big 12 Conference the past six seasons.
"I am excited about becoming part of the Bulldog family," Gordon said. "I am grateful to Scott Stricklin and his staff for the opportunity to coach alongside my husband at Mississippi State University. I am excited about building the soccer program here and competing for championships in the SEC."
Their hard work in Lubbock culminated in 2012 with the Red Raiders winning a school-record 16 games and ending the season No. 25 in the nation, the program's first national ranking. Tech's historic season included a trip to the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament and a second-round appearance in the program's first NCAA Tournament.
Primarily working with the forwards and midfielders, she helped the Red Raiders to the conference tournament each season, and more overall (60) and conference (23) victories than the previous nine years combined.
While at Tech, Gordon helped tutor six NSCAA All-Central Region selections and the program's first NSCAA All-American in freshman Janine Beckie, who claimed the Red Raiders' second Big 12 Rookie of the Year honor in three seasons. Gordon also helped mentor five All-Big 12 First Team selections.
While at Tech, Gordon continued an outstanding coaching career in the Olympic Development Program ranks. She has served as a Region III staff coach since 2001, and from 2008-2011 she was an NTSSA West Texas ODP coach. Gordon was tabbed the Region III '94 Team assistant coach in 2011 after serving as assistant coach for the '89 squad in 2004.
"I am thrilled Ashley will be joining my staff here at Mississippi State University," Aaron Gordon said. "Her experience as a player and a national championship-winning coach will be a huge asset to the Bulldog soccer program. As husband and wife, we have shared great coaching experiences on the field, and it will be even more exciting to have the opportunity to share them here at Mississippi State."
Gordon joined her husband in Lubbock a year after she guided Richland College to the NJCAA Division III national championship. In addition to being named NJCAA Coach of the Tournament, she was also named the NSCAA Coach of the Year.
Gordon also had a pair of stints as a staff coach with FC Dallas, where she helped lead her squads to a number of state and regional championships. Between stops with FC Dallas, Gordon worked with the Cobb Futbol Club in Atlanta directing the Girls Academy Development Program.
A USSF "A" licensed coach, Gordon moved into the coaching ranks following a stellar college and professional career.
As a four-year starter at Southern Methodist, she helped her team to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the Round of 16.
She went on to play semi-pro soccer for the W-League's Dallas Lightning (1995-98) and the Texas Heat (1999).
Gordon was also tabbed to the 1990 U.S. National Pool Team, 1993 Olympic Festival team and the Olympic regional team (1988-96).
Aaron and Ashley Gordon have two daughters, Addison, 12, and Avery, 8.
For additional information about Mississippi State athletics, please visit HailState.com.
