Soccer
Matt Kagan
- Title:
- Associate Head Soccer Coach
- Email:
- mkagan@athletics.msstate.edu
- Phone:
- 325-2722
Matt Kagan, a former assistant of Tom Anagnost at the University of Miami (Fla.), joined the Bulldogs as an associate head coach prior to the 2017 season after spending the previous three seasons as an assistant with Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles.
“Matt is definitely one of the best recruiters in the country and one of the greatest people I’ve met in the game,” Anagnost said. “He is a passionate coach who cares deeply about the team and all the players on it. I trust him in every way and I can’t put into words how elated I am to be working with him again.”
Kagan was announced to the MSU soccer coaching staff on Dec. 20, 2016. Kagan has served as an assistant coach for LMU (2014-16), Providence College (2013), Miami (2011-12), Evansville (2008-10) and Assumption College (2004). Kagan also has experience as a head coach with Division III Worcester State (2005-07).
“The people I met on my visit, along with the top-notch facilities, make Mississippi State a truly remarkable place,” Kagan said. “The opportunity to work with Tom Anagnost and Jason Hamilton again was something I couldn’t pass up. I can’t wait to get started as we build something very special at MSU.”
Under Kagan’s guidance in 2017, the Bulldogs reached new heights offensively. Prior to his arrival, State scored just 34 goals combined in the 2015 and 2016 seasons. In 2017, the Bulldogs netted 32 goals—its highest total in 16 seasons. MSU’s 1.78 goals per game was also the best since 2001 and was fourth-best in program history. State also had more shots on goal than in recent years, being on target 119 times in 2017—the most since 2013.
Under his tutelage, Mallory Eubanks earned her second-straight All-SEC honor as a midfielder and became the highest Bulldog ever selected in the National Women’s Soccer League Draft—being taken 16th overall by the Washington Spirit.
While with LMU, Kagan aided the squad to a NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in 2015, after the club turned in an impressive 15-6-1 record. All three seasons with the Lions were winning seasons as Kagan and LMU earned 35 wins during his tenure. Additionally, Kagan landed the No. 37 ranked recruiting class with the Lions in 2015.
Before his time with LMU, Kagan served as an assistant coach on the Providence College women’s soccer coaching staff during the 2013 season. He took over interim head coaching duties in January of 2014 until accepting the position with LMU. While with Providence, Kagan turned the 20th ranked recruiting class in the nation, his third Top 20 as a coach, to boost his recruiting resume. Kagan also oversaw the academics for a Friars’ club that earned a 2013 NSCAA Team Academic Award with a GPA of 3.25.
At Coral Gables, Kagan spent two seasons with the Hurricanes from 2011-12 where he helped the Anagnost coached club to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances. In addition, Kagan aided Miami to its first and only second round berth in the NCAA Tournament in 2011. His focused recruiting led to a pair of Top 20 ranked recruiting class as well while with the Hurricanes.
Prior to his time with Miami, Kagan spent three seasons serving as an assistant coach for the University of Evansville women’s soccer program. Already earning an reputation for his recruiting, Kagan landed Canadian National Team Captain Vanessa Legault-Cordisco to the Purple Aces in 2010. Legault-Cordisco was the first national team player to sign with Evansville. The Purple Aces made one NCAA Tournament appearance in 2008 after the club won the Missouri Valley Conference. Kagan and the rest of the Evansville coaching staff were named the MVC Coaching Staff of the Year in 2008.
Kagan directed Worchester State to three-consecutive Division III NCAA Tournament appearances as a head coach. With the Lancers, Kagan compiled a 45-15-3 mark from 2005 through 2007. In his final season with Worchester State, Kagan led the Lancers to a NCAA Sweet 16 berth and a national ranking of No. 21 in the NSCAA poll to cap the 2007 campaign. During his tenure at Worchester State, Kagan also helped develop 19 all-conference players, including a 2007 D3Kicks.com All-American. Kagan was named the 2005 Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Coach of the Year.
As a player, Kagan played at Southern New Hampshire University where his team advanced to the NCAA Tournament Division II Championship game and he was named to the Final Four All-Tournament Team in 2002. He received a Bachelor of Science in sports management from SNHU in 2003, before earning a Master of Business Administration from his alma mater in 2007.
Kagan holds an Advanced National Coaching Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
Hailing from Newington, Conn., Kagan was born on Oct. 30, 1981, and is married to wife Jessica Kagan who is a native of Las Vegas, Nev.
“Matt is definitely one of the best recruiters in the country and one of the greatest people I’ve met in the game,” Anagnost said. “He is a passionate coach who cares deeply about the team and all the players on it. I trust him in every way and I can’t put into words how elated I am to be working with him again.”
Kagan was announced to the MSU soccer coaching staff on Dec. 20, 2016. Kagan has served as an assistant coach for LMU (2014-16), Providence College (2013), Miami (2011-12), Evansville (2008-10) and Assumption College (2004). Kagan also has experience as a head coach with Division III Worcester State (2005-07).
“The people I met on my visit, along with the top-notch facilities, make Mississippi State a truly remarkable place,” Kagan said. “The opportunity to work with Tom Anagnost and Jason Hamilton again was something I couldn’t pass up. I can’t wait to get started as we build something very special at MSU.”
Under Kagan’s guidance in 2017, the Bulldogs reached new heights offensively. Prior to his arrival, State scored just 34 goals combined in the 2015 and 2016 seasons. In 2017, the Bulldogs netted 32 goals—its highest total in 16 seasons. MSU’s 1.78 goals per game was also the best since 2001 and was fourth-best in program history. State also had more shots on goal than in recent years, being on target 119 times in 2017—the most since 2013.
Under his tutelage, Mallory Eubanks earned her second-straight All-SEC honor as a midfielder and became the highest Bulldog ever selected in the National Women’s Soccer League Draft—being taken 16th overall by the Washington Spirit.
While with LMU, Kagan aided the squad to a NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in 2015, after the club turned in an impressive 15-6-1 record. All three seasons with the Lions were winning seasons as Kagan and LMU earned 35 wins during his tenure. Additionally, Kagan landed the No. 37 ranked recruiting class with the Lions in 2015.
Before his time with LMU, Kagan served as an assistant coach on the Providence College women’s soccer coaching staff during the 2013 season. He took over interim head coaching duties in January of 2014 until accepting the position with LMU. While with Providence, Kagan turned the 20th ranked recruiting class in the nation, his third Top 20 as a coach, to boost his recruiting resume. Kagan also oversaw the academics for a Friars’ club that earned a 2013 NSCAA Team Academic Award with a GPA of 3.25.
At Coral Gables, Kagan spent two seasons with the Hurricanes from 2011-12 where he helped the Anagnost coached club to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances. In addition, Kagan aided Miami to its first and only second round berth in the NCAA Tournament in 2011. His focused recruiting led to a pair of Top 20 ranked recruiting class as well while with the Hurricanes.
Prior to his time with Miami, Kagan spent three seasons serving as an assistant coach for the University of Evansville women’s soccer program. Already earning an reputation for his recruiting, Kagan landed Canadian National Team Captain Vanessa Legault-Cordisco to the Purple Aces in 2010. Legault-Cordisco was the first national team player to sign with Evansville. The Purple Aces made one NCAA Tournament appearance in 2008 after the club won the Missouri Valley Conference. Kagan and the rest of the Evansville coaching staff were named the MVC Coaching Staff of the Year in 2008.
Kagan directed Worchester State to three-consecutive Division III NCAA Tournament appearances as a head coach. With the Lancers, Kagan compiled a 45-15-3 mark from 2005 through 2007. In his final season with Worchester State, Kagan led the Lancers to a NCAA Sweet 16 berth and a national ranking of No. 21 in the NSCAA poll to cap the 2007 campaign. During his tenure at Worchester State, Kagan also helped develop 19 all-conference players, including a 2007 D3Kicks.com All-American. Kagan was named the 2005 Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Coach of the Year.
As a player, Kagan played at Southern New Hampshire University where his team advanced to the NCAA Tournament Division II Championship game and he was named to the Final Four All-Tournament Team in 2002. He received a Bachelor of Science in sports management from SNHU in 2003, before earning a Master of Business Administration from his alma mater in 2007.
Kagan holds an Advanced National Coaching Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
Hailing from Newington, Conn., Kagan was born on Oct. 30, 1981, and is married to wife Jessica Kagan who is a native of Las Vegas, Nev.
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