Erin Riddle Named Coach Of The Year
MADISON- Knowledge of the game, conduct on the field, team image and rapport with the team are just some of the criteria for consideration for honors by the United Soccer Coaches Association. Those elements of being a good coach have been matched and exceeded by leaps and bounds by James Clemens girls’ soccer head coach Erin Riddle to the extent the six-year head coach was named Alabama Soccer Coach of the Year for large schools.
“I was shocked when I found out about the award,” said Riddle. “I said this can’t be real and was taken aback by such an honor. There are many other coaches deserving of the award and I’m just very proud.”
The voting by the United Soccer Coaches had Riddle and Brigid Littleton of Vestavia Hills actually tied for the award. The James Clemens Jets lost to Vestavia Hills in the final four of the State Tournament with the Birmingham based school becoming the eventual Class 7A state champs.
The Lady Jets completed the 2018 campaign with a 14-4-2 record making the playoffs for the first time under Riddle, who is familiar with victorious moments on the soccer field.
Riddle played at Bob Jones graduating in 2004, but was also part of the 2003 team that won the State Championship. She won the team award as Most Valuable Player as a junior and earned a scholarship to play soccer at Southern Mississippi where she was tabbed MVP her senior season. After college she made her way to coaching with club teams and as a staff coach at her high school alma mater before taking the job as head coach at newly built James Clemens across town.
“Taking the job at James Clemens I was super excited to help build a brand new program and was my way to stay in the soccer community,” added Riddle. “As for my award, those coaches that voted for me must have seen my good sportsmanship, leadership and the fact we built our program to a high level this past season.”
Riddle is known as a competitor with a coaching style led by leadership. “I do most of my coaching at practices and concentrate on the technical end of the sport,” added Riddle.
Riddle will receive a plaque in honor of her achievement and will be honored at the annual United Soccer Coaches Convention scheduled for Jan. 9-13, 2019 in Chicago.
