Beginning this fall, Jordan Bishop will be joining the women’s soccer team as assistant coach.

Bishop played soccer for four years at the undergraduate level for Iowa State University. She has played for semi-professional teams as well as the professional team the Boston Breakers. While completing her master’s, she was the graduate assistant and director of soccer operations for Auburn University.

Head Coach Derek Burton said her extensive experience will make her a valuable addition to the team.

“Her professional and high-level college playing experience will really incent credibility and respect from our players so they can take what she gives them, like her opinion and her coaching, and know it’s valid,” Burton said.

Bishop will be joining the coaching staff as the third full-time coach, something Burton said will be beneficial to the team.

“This is a great step for our coaching staff and our program,” Burton said. “She’ll make a big impact in terms of having a third recruiter. She has a very high level of playing experience, which has given her eyes for evaluation, so she’s going to be impactful in our recruiting efforts.”

Bishop said she plans to contribute to the team in many ways.

“On the field, it’ll be more from an attacking standpoint, with the positional and tactical side of things. I’ve played at pretty much every level college-wise, so I think the experience on the field that I’ve had will help me to be able to relate to the girls,” Bishop said. “As for off the field, I am a younger coach so I think having that relatability with the players will be extremely beneficial.”

Burton said the fact that she is young is nothing but a positive.

“Still being pretty young and not so removed from the game, she can really bridge that gap from being a player at a high level to now coaching at Division I athletics,” Burton said. “They’ll know that they can take what she says to heart. This is a factor when it comes to the games and training, but also when it comes to the personal side of things. She’ll be able to have more of a connection with them than someone like myself, who’s 40 now, does not have to a 20-year-old.”

Bishop said she was drawn to this program partially due to her connection with Burton.

“Now in society, it’s all about connections and staying in touch with the people who make an impact on your life,” Bishop said. “Derek was my coach for my freshman fall so I’ve known him going on seven years now. I really respected him as a coach, so once I heard this position had opened, I quickly reached out to him and interviewed because I wanted to be a part of his program.”

Bishop said in addition to her connection with Burton, she is also eager to be part of a Division I team.

“That’s what I really like about this program; it’s somewhat fresh with the Division I status, so being able to be a contributor to progressing the women’s program into more of a notable team will be really exciting,” Bishop said.

Senior defender Samantha Jones said she is excited for Bishop to join the team.

“I worked a camp with her this summer and from what I saw, it seemed like she had a positive attitude, a pretty good ability to lead and a good work ethic,” Jones said. “It seemed like she knows a lot about the sport and having another person to help explain things will be great.”

Bishop said she has wanted to become a coach for most of her life and is very excited about the opportunity to do this at SIUE.

“My dad was a high school basketball coach, so I’ve grown up with a coach in my family,” Bishop said. “I just love the way that they can be a part of someone’s life and really make an impact in it.”

Caitlin Grove

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