MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Auburn University at Montgomery Director of Athletics Jessie Rosa has named Matthew Thorne as the new head coach of the men's soccer program at AUM, it was announced Thursday. Thorne, the 2017 Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year, comes to Montgomery from the University of West Alabama in Livingston, Ala., where he began the men's program in 2012.
 
"Coach Thorne is a quality person and coach, and tremendous addition to our team," said Rosa. "His record and achievements speak for themselves and I have every confidence in the future of the AUM men's soccer program with him at the helm. We are so excited to welcome him home." 
 
Thorne began his coaching career at AUM in 2007 as a graduate assistant coach under former head coach Wulf Koch, graduating in 2009 with a Master of Business Administration degree. He now becomes the sixth head coach in program history here at AUM.
 
"Firstly, I would like to thank Chancellor Carl Stockton, Director of Athletics Jessie Rosa and the search committee for giving me the opportunity to coach at Auburn Montgomery again," said Thorne. "As AUM is my alma mater it has always been a dream to one day come back and coach here. Men's soccer has a tremendous winning tradition from the NAIA-era, now we hope to be very successful in the NCAA and push AUM on a national level."
 
In his first season with the then-Senators AUM won the NAIA Region XIII Championship, reaching the NAIA National Tournament Final Four. After three seasons with AUM Thorne became an assistant coach with Huntingdon College from 2009-2011, before becoming the first head coach in UWA history in August of 2011.
 
Thorne has amassed a career record of 78-43-9 as the gaffer of UWA men's soccer, going 48-23-4 in league play. The Tigers won the GSC Tournament Championship four years in a row from 2014-2017, while also winning the regular season championship in 2015 and 2017. In 2017 UWA reached the Third Round of the NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament for the first time in program history while compiling a 16-3-1 record.
 
"UWA will always be close to my heart," added Thorne. "They gave me the opportunity to start the inaugural men's soccer program in 2012 and we had tremendous success while making great memories together. I met my wife Ashley and we had our 3 beautiful children while in Livingston. I wish UWA all the best in the future and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to coach there."
 
In seven seasons with the Tigers have claimed GSC Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons with Thibault Charmey earning the accolade in 2013 and 2014. UWA has had 10 players named to the All-GSC teams, four named All-South Region and one Capital One All-American in 2016 and 2017. In addition, this past season saw Ali Brador named to the 2018 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II Men's Scholar All-America Team Third Team.

After the 2018 season Thorne coached the Birmingham Hammers of the fourth-division of the United Soccer League, leading the squad to its most wins in a season in team history.

Thorne is a 2007 graduate from Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, Tenn. with a B.S. in Business and Sport Management, where he played four seasons for the Redhawks. During Thorne's time at MMC, he helped the team achieve a Trans-South regular season and tournament championship in 2004. Thorne was a three-time all-Trans-South Team selection while garnering all-region and all-American accolades in 2006.

Following his collegiate career, Thorne played with the Palm Beach Pumas in the Professional Development League in the summer of 2006 and played with the semi-professional Icelandic second division team IH Hafnarfjordur in 2008.

Since 2007, Thorne has been a part of the Alabama Olympic Development Program. He also has a USSF National A coaching license to go along with a Level 1 and Level 2 Football Association of Ireland Coaching Badge. A native of Rush, County Dublin, Ireland, Thorne came through the prestigious College Prep program Colaiste Ide where he received "Achiever of the Year" in 2003. 

Thorne and his wife Ashley have three daughters, Saoirse, Niamh and Ciara.
 
"Once again I am very grateful for this opportunity and we look forward to create something special together," added Thorne.
 
MATTHEW THORNE YEAR-BY-YEAR
YEAR   SCHOOL OVERALL      GSC    
2012        UWA       12-6-0         8-4-0 (2nd)     
2013        UWA       11-7-1         7-6-1 (3rd)     
2014        UWA       11-6-1         6-3-0 (3rd)
2015        UWA       10-7-2         7-1-1 (1st)
2016        UWA       11-6-2          5-3-1 (4th)
2017        UWA       16-3-1        10-1-0 (1st)
2018        UWA       7-8-2            5-5-1 (6th)
 
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Special thanks to Dr. Kurt Patberg, Senior Vice President for Athletics Staffing and Consultants, who conducted the Head Men's Soccer Coach search.

ASC provides colleges and universities a wide range of search opportunities from 1) identifying a list of recommended candidates to conducting the entire search, and 2) from identifying prospective employees to assisting with negotiating contracts. ASC specializes in finding conferences, colleges and universities the proper staff fit and bringing a diverse group of candidates to the search process. ASC consulting services consist of feasibility studies, strategic plans, compliance reviews, NCAA/NAIA reclassification studies/transitions, conference membership options, Title IX reviews, and fundraising strategies.  Visit https://www.ascwinners.com/asc/  for more information.