DALLAS (SMU) -- John Cossaboon, the head women's soccer coach at the University of San Diego for the last six years, was named the head coach of the SMU women's soccer program today in an announcement made by Director of Athletics Jim Copeland. Cossaboon replaces George Van Linder, who resigned at the end of December to become the head women's coach at Baylor. Cossaboon becomes the fourth head coach for the Lady Mustangs since the program's inception in 1986.
"It is a great day for our women's soccer program," said Copeland. "John has an impeccable background at many levels. He built the San Diego program into a consistent winner and he also has ties to the Texas soccer community. We are looking forward to a great partnership with John."
During his six-year tenure at San Diego, Cossaboon guided the Toreros to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances (1999-2002) while compiling an overall record of 73-43-6 (.598 winning percentage). Since inheriting the program in 1997, Cossaboon and the Toreros averaged 13 wins per season, totaling a 25-15-2 record in the West Coast Conference.
Prior to San Diego, Cossaboon served as the women's head coach at UC Santa Barbara. Prior to UCSB, Cossaboon gained international head coaching experience at the professional level in Japan's women's professional league from 1993 through the beginning of 1995. Before his stint in Japan, Cossaboon's coaching experiences included the following positions: top assistant coach for the men's program at Santa Clara (1992-1993), the head men's coach at Cal State Hayward (1991) and assistant coaching jobs at Duke (1978-82) and the North Carolina (1977).
A native of New York, Cossaboon served as the Director of Coaching for the North Texas State Soccer Association from 1982-90, directing and training Olympic Development players and designing and implementing the state's coaching education program. With a United States Soccer Federation "A" License, he has been a National Staff Coach for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America since 1983. From 1983 to 1985, he was a National Staff Coach for the USSF.
A 1977 graduate of State University of New York-Cortland, Cossaboon earned his bachelor of science degree in physical education with an emphasis in sports psychology and exercise physiology. During his senior year at Cortland, he garnered first team all-conference honors as a center midfielder.
Cossaboon earned his master of arts degree in physical education in 1978 from the University of North Carolina with emphasis in exercise physiology, coaching, biomechanics and psychology. He received his Intermediate Level Coaching Certificate from the Brazilian Football Academy in Rio de Janeiro. Additionally, he has authored five soccer publications, has studied soccer techniques in Belgium and Holland, and has taught Martial Arts and Self-Defense for Women classes.
