Belton, TX—
Barry Elkins has been named the new head coach of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor women's soccer program, UMHB Vice-President for Athletics
Ben Shipp announced today. The job will be a homecoming for Elkins, a UMHB graduate and four-year letterman for the Cru men's soccer program.
Elkins returns to his alma mater after a successful 13-year run as head girls' soccer coach at Belton High School. He had compiled a 223-60-26 record entering this season and has guided the Lady Tigers to nine district championships and 12 straight playoff berths. Elkins has compiled a 20-12 playoff record, is a five-time District Coach of the Year and earned Super CenTex Coach of the Year honors in 2008. He has coached a state semifinalist, 24 All-Region players and a pair of All-State selections during his time with Belton High School girls' soccer. Elkins started his coaching career as an assistant coach at Temple High School and also worked as a teacher at Travis Middle School in Temple.
“We are excited to have Barry come in and take over our women's soccer program,”
Ben Shipp said. “He is a proven winner from his days at Belton High School and he knows through the University from his time as a student-athlete at UMHB. We look forward to having Barry join our staff and begin to put his stamp on our women's soccer program.”
Elkins graduated from UMHB in 1997 with a degree in Physical Education. He was a four-year letterman for the Cru men's soccer team, serving as team captain and winning team Defensive Player of the Year honors. Elkins was a dual-sport athlete for the Cru, also earning three letters for the UMHB men's tennis team. He is a native of Harlingen, Texas.
“It is still a little overwhelming for me because Belton is such a special place,” Elkins said. “Mary Hardin-Baylor is what brought me to Central Texas and its where I really grew up. So I am very excited about the opportunity to get back there and start working with the soccer program and really help it develop and grow.”
Elkins will start his coaching duties for UMHB as soon as Belton High School's season ends. He and his wife, Tiffany, have two children, Collin and Cade.
