Auburn Assistant Head Soccer Coach Matt Mott Earns National Award

April 30, 2003

AUBURN---Auburn soccer assistant head coach Matthew Mott was named as an AFLAC National Assistant Coach of the Year for his contributions to the Tiger soccer program. Making the selections, which included high school and collegiate coaches was Scholastic Coach and Athletic Director magazine.
       
Mott has served as assistant head coach at Auburn for four seasons and has served under AU head coach Karen Hoppa for eight seasons. Coming to the Plains, Mott aided Hoppa in leading the squad from a last-place finish in the Southeastern Conference their first season, to SEC Champions in 2002.
       
"I am thrilled that AFLAC has honored Coach Mott in this way," Hoppa said. "Matt has been an instrumental part of our run from last in the SEC to SEC Champs and this prestigious award speaks volumes for what he has done for the program. He has done an outstanding job for us as our recruiting coordinator and continues to motivate as an on-field coach."
       
While Hoppa was away from Auburn serving as an assistant with the U.S. National team, Mott served in the capacity of head coach for the first two games of the 2002 season claiming wins over then No. 17 West Virginia (2-0) and Evansville (3-1).
       
"It is an honor to be recognized by AFLAC as a National Assistant Coach of the Year," Mott said. "It is certainly a team effort with Karen (Hoppa) and assistant Heather Welker. I am excited that our team’s success is represented with an award like this. I appreciate AFLAC and the Scholastic Coach and Athletic Director magazine for recognizing assistant coaches and the part they play."
       
Auburn finished the 2002 season with a school-best 15-5-2 record on the year and won the Tigers’ first SEC title. The team also played to a second round NCAA Tournament appearance, which is also a first for Auburn.
       
The award is based on a coaches longevity, expertise, contributions to the school and community and special achievements throughout their careers. Nominations were made in their favor by head coaches, athletic administrators, past and current student-athletes, fans and Board members. The winners were selected from a field of more than 350,000 assistant coaches across the country.