Cardinals Tab Josh Rife For Head Soccer Position
Story Courtesy of Ball State Sports Information
MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State University has announced Josh Rife as the newest head coach of the school's soccer team. Rife becomes the fifth head coach at Ball State since the program's inaugural season in 1999.
"We are excited to welcome Josh and his family to the Ball State community," Director of Athletics Beth Goetz said. "Josh's commitment to the development of student-athletes on and off the field makes him the perfect fit to lead our program. His professional playing experience and coaching background will be the right mix to lead our very successful soccer team to even greater heights."
Rife comes to Muncie from Starkville, Mississippi, where he spent one season as an assistant coach for the women's soccer team at Mississippi State University. During his lone year in Mississippi, Rife helped lead the Bulldogs to their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Rife led a record-breaking defense at MSU, holding opponents to 11.6 shots per game and allowing only 17 goals through 18 games.
"I want to thank Beth Goetz for this wonderful opportunity for me and my family," said Rife. "I couldn't be more excited to join the Cardinal family and build upon the great success and tradition that the women's soccer team has established on the field, in the classroom and in the community. There are too many people to thank for their development of me as a coach and person to get me to this point, but I'm grateful for each opportunity I have had that has prepared me for this next step in my career."
Before Mississippi State, Rife spent two seasons in Virginia as an assistant coach for the women's soccer team at Liberty University. There, he guided the Flames to an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2016 after winning the Big South Conference title. Prior to Liberty, Rife served as an assistant for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the United Soccer League (USL), and was head coach of the team's U-23 squad. Additionally, he became the youngest head coach in Major Indoor Soccer League history when he was hired by the Rochester Lancers in 2013.
Rife's coaching career began in 2003 as an assistant with Missouri Baptist University. He also made a stop at Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida where he served as an assistant. In 2010, he led the Sailfish to the National Christian College Athletic Association National Championship after compiling a 15-6 record. Rife then worked as a volunteer assistant at Gardner Webb University in 2012.
In addition to his several years of coaching experience, Rife played professionally both indoor and outdoor. From 2003-2012 he played in the USL for the Charlotte Eagles and then spent the 2013 season with VSI Tampa Bay FC. From 2005-2013, Rife also spent time in the MISL, playing for the Philadelphia Kixx, Detroit Ignition and Milwaukee Wave.
Rife played collegiately for Texas Christian University for two years before transferring to Indiana University. At Indiana, Rife led the Hoosiers to back-to-back College Cup semifinal appearances in 2000 and 2001, and a Big 10 title in 2001. He was coached at IU by Jerry Yeagley, the winningest coach in NCAA men's Division I soccer history.
After graduating from Indiana with a degree in general studies and a business certificate, Rife has gone on to receive his premier diploma and advanced national diploma from the United Soccer Coaches.
Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, Rife comes to Muncie with his wife, Christy, and two daughters, Maddison and Kilee.
"I also want to thank everyone on the search committee for their time during the process," Rife added. "Who you work with plays a major part in the success of any program or business and I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with everyone. I could sense their pride and excitement for Ball State, and their commitment to the betterment of the student-athletes."
