Ball State University Athletics
Josh Rife Named Head Soccer Coach
June 28, 2019 | Soccer
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."
What they are saying about Josh Rife:
"Josh Rife is one of the finest to have worn our uniform in terms of playing and in terms of the quality of person he is. He is one of my favorites and will be a wonderful ambassador for Ball State University on and off the field. Josh's coach-player relationships will be truly outstanding. He was a fantastic leader for us at IU and was looked up to by his teammates because of those natural leadership abilities. While Josh is a wonderful and kind person, he is also very tough on the field. He's tenacious and has the will to win, and fire it takes to be of a championship caliber. He knows what it takes to win a championship and he will bring not only a conference regular season championship to Ball State, but a conference tournament championship and NCAA Tournament experience. I have had several former players go on to coach both the men's and women's games and he's near the top. His wife was an excellent player as well and she will be a wonderful asset to him. I have no doubt Josh will be successful."
-Jerry Yeagley, former head men's soccer coach, Indiana University, winningest coach in NCAA Division I men's soccer history
"Coach Josh is a man of outstanding character and integrity. He values building relationships with his players and guiding them to be successful on the field and in the classroom. Ball State has made an amazing hire and there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that he is ready to lead this program to future success. We will miss Josh but wish him and his wonderful family all the very best in the future."
-James Armstrong, head women's soccer coach, Mississippi State University
"I'm so excited for both Josh and the Ball State soccer program. They are not only getting a great coach but an even better person. Those players will have a wonderful time growing as players and more importantly as people under Josh's leadership."
-Nate Norman, head women's soccer coach, Notre Dame University
For all the latest on Ball State soccer, follow @BallStateSoccer on social media and visit BallStateSports.com.
"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."
What they are saying about Josh Rife:
"Josh Rife is one of the finest to have worn our uniform in terms of playing and in terms of the quality of person he is. He is one of my favorites and will be a wonderful ambassador for Ball State University on and off the field. Josh's coach-player relationships will be truly outstanding. He was a fantastic leader for us at IU and was looked up to by his teammates because of those natural leadership abilities. While Josh is a wonderful and kind person, he is also very tough on the field. He's tenacious and has the will to win, and fire it takes to be of a championship caliber. He knows what it takes to win a championship and he will bring not only a conference regular season championship to Ball State, but a conference tournament championship and NCAA Tournament experience. I have had several former players go on to coach both the men's and women's games and he's near the top. His wife was an excellent player as well and she will be a wonderful asset to him. I have no doubt Josh will be successful."
-Jerry Yeagley, former head men's soccer coach, Indiana University, winningest coach in NCAA Division I men's soccer history
"Coach Josh is a man of outstanding character and integrity. He values building relationships with his players and guiding them to be successful on the field and in the classroom. Ball State has made an amazing hire and there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that he is ready to lead this program to future success. We will miss Josh but wish him and his wonderful family all the very best in the future."
-James Armstrong, head women's soccer coach, Mississippi State University
"I'm so excited for both Josh and the Ball State soccer program. They are not only getting a great coach but an even better person. Those players will have a wonderful time growing as players and more importantly as people under Josh's leadership."
-Nate Norman, head women's soccer coach, Notre Dame University
For all the latest on Ball State soccer, follow @BallStateSoccer on social media and visit BallStateSports.com.
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