LUBBOCK, Texas (April 8, 2022) – Lubbock Christian University director of athletics Scott Larson has announced the hiring of Collin Cone as the head coach of the men's soccer team.
 
Cone comes to LCU after leading the men's soccer team at LeTourneau for the last four seasons, where he posted back-to-back winning records in 2021 and the 2020-21 season and had the team improve in every year he was the head coach. The YellowJackets 6-5 showing in the 2020-21 season was the program's first with a winning record since 2010.
 
"We are extremely excited to have hired Collin as our next men's soccer coach," Larson said, "and believe that he will do an excellent job of continuing to build the LCU men's soccer program."
 
LeTourneau made the American Southwest Conference tournament in all four of his seasons at the helm and he led them to a 28-32-5 overall record. In just four seasons, Cone had 25 players earn All-ASC honors. Just last fall, he was named to the United Soccer Coaches "30 Under 30" program, a group comprised of the 30 best soccer coaches under 30 years old in the United States.
 
"I would like to thank LCU President Dr. Scott McDowell and Athletic Director Scott Larson for allowing me the opportunity to lead the men's soccer program at LCU," Cone said. "I look forward to building on the success and culture that Paul Gilbert created for the soccer program. LCU has a good soccer history and a great tradition that I look forward to being a part of."
 
Prior to his time at LeTourneau, Cone spent three years at Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana. He played a key role in the recruiting efforts for the Lancers while also working with the goalkeepers. In his final season at Grace, the Lancers won the Crossroads League Championship for the first time in 25 years and made it to the NAIA National Championship for the first time in 35 seasons. Cone's time at Grace as a coach was marked by two NCCAA National Tournament appearances and two regional tournament titles. 
 
Grace is the alma mater for Cone, who was a three-year starter at goalkeeper for the Lancers in his time as a student-athlete there. Cone's time as a student-athlete at Grace College included two straight trips to the National Christian College Athletic Association National Tournament, which marked the first time that Grace College made back-to-back appearances since the 1982-83 seasons. Cone registered a 23-16-7 mark in goal for the Lancers, making 203 saves and posting 15 shutouts. He was named to the All-Conference team as a senior and during his junior year was honored nationally as the NAIA Defensive Player of the Week once.
 
Cone holds a master's degree in physical education with a specialization in coaching from Ball State University. He also holds a United States Soccer Federation D License for coaching, as well as the Premier Diploma (Distinguished Pass), Advanced National Diploma, Director of Coaching Diploma, Goalkeeping 1, 2 and 3 Diploma, Foundations of Coaching Diploma and Futsal Level 1 Diploma from the United Soccer Coaches, formerly known as the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
 
He was born and raised in Central Africa to missionary parents who served overseas. He attended Rainforest International School in Yaoundé, Cameroon, where he graduated in 2009.
 
"I am really looking forward to working at a university that puts Christ first, values discipleship and wants to see young men's lives changed through the game of soccer," Cone noted. "My wife, Anna, and I are excited to be apart of the Chaparral family. We are also looking forward to contributing to the Lubbock community for years to come."