Leaving a legacy — Lee Clarion

Former Head Coach of Women's Soccer Matt Yelton resigned from Lee University Thursday, March 19. He will be joining his brothers on the coaching staff at Samford University.

In 13 seasons as head coach, he was a remarkable 252-42-2. While in the NAIA's Southern States Athletic Conference Yelton went 89-0-1 and won 11 conference championships overall. Yelton went 18-2-0 in two seasons in the Gulf South Conference in the NCAA Division II and won five national championships as head coach.

Because of his accomplishments and the most national championships at Lee, Yelton is the most successful coach in Lee University history.

Athletic Director Larry Carpenter said that Yelton helped Lee's soccer program to be one of the best in the country.

'He brought a winning mentality to Lee University,' Carpenter said. 'Coach has the ability to recruit top-notch student athletes, help them reach their potential and play at an elite level every day. Every time they came out to a match, he had his kids believing they would win.'

Interim Head Coach Matt Hennessey, who was an assistant to Yelton, knew when he came to Lee he would be learning from the best in the business.

'I came to Lee in 2006 to play for the men's team and straightaway I could see that Yelton was a good coach. I saw his success all the way through my career here,' Hennessey said. 'When the opportunity arose for me to come back I absolutely jumped at the chance because I knew it would be a great learning experience for me to learn from one of the best and most successful coaches.'

Yelton was not only successful at Lee on the field, but he knew that he could have an influence on his player's lives off the field.

'Matt left behind a drive for excellence and success in all areas of life,' former captain and player for Yelton, Allison Braun said. 'He's taught players to work as hard as they can no matter what they're pursuing.'

Yelton said his greatest hope was that his players would strive to get better every single day, no matter what they do.

'One of the cornerstones of our program was that we played for each other and worked to get better each day,' Yelton said. 'If there is anything that I hope that my players took away from their time at Lee it would be a commitment to be better than they were the day before.'

Hennessey said that one reason Yelton was such a successful coach was because he never asked his players to do anything he didn't do first.

'He led by example. He put a lot of hours, a lot of hard work, sweat and tears into the program,' Hennessey said. 'The girls saw that amount of effort and they followed suit without any effort.'

Yelton left a legacy in many different ways, on the field and off. Carpenter said Yelton put the Lee soccer program in the national spotlight.

'His teams were recognized and respected throughout the country,' Carpenter said. 'He put us on the national map. Lee soccer became a household name.'

Hennessey believes that his legacy is his ability to win and his player development on and off the field.

'His legacy is unquestionable. Five national championships within the last 8 years,' Hennessey said. 'His legacy will always be remembered as, 'what a great guy, what a great coach.' [His legacy] will be how he has developed players, not just as soccer players, but in terms of their character and their abilities to go on and lead successful careers in whatever they do.'

Hennessey knows that Yelton cared for him and Assistant Coach Luidgi Beauzile and said that he has learned so much from Yelton.

'He's been a good man, he's been a great coach,' Hennessey said. 'He's looked after Luidgi and he's looked after me in every way, shape or form. I've learned a lot from him.'

Yelton said that it is hard to say goodbye after 13 years anywhere because of the relationships that have been forged.

'I think a large part of any move is saying goodbye to those you have forged relationships with over time,' Yelton said. 'After having been at Lee for 13 years, the people that I have worked with stopped being co-workers a long time ago, and simply became family.'