SEARCY – Former Harding University soccer player Odie Guzman has been named head men's soccer coach, athletics director Greg Harnden announced Thursday.

Guzman, a native of Lewisville, Texas, spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach with both the men's and women's teams at Lubbock Christian University in Texas. In 2011, he helped direct Lubbock Christian's men to a 14-4-3 record and a berth in the championship game of the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament.

“Lubbock Christian University helped prepare and equip me for the head coach position I am now accepting at Harding,” Guzman said. “I learned valuable skills and life lessons from [Lubbock Christian head coach] Kyle Beard. I value all the relationships and opportunities Lubbock provided me with.”

Guzman, a 2009 Harding graduate with a B.A. in management, was a four-year letterwinner with the Bisons from 2005-08 and twice earned All-Gulf South Conference honors as a midfielder.

“I am delighted to accept the position as head coach for the men's soccer program,” Guzman said. “Harding University has a special place in my heart, and what a privilege it is to come back and coach.”

Guzman takes over the men's team after last season's head coach Jeremy Bishop departed to become the head women's coach at the University of Central Arkansas. Current Harding women's coach Dr. Greg Harris was also the men's coach for 10 seasons.

“Both Coach Harris and Coach Bishop did an exceptional job leading and moving this team in a positive direction,” said Guzman. “Without their dedication and hard work, the program would not be where it is today. I'm inheriting a talented group of Christian men, and I plan on adding more players that fit with the culture of Harding. My goal is to become a nationally competitive program.

“By example, I want to help prepare these men to lead Christian lives and to show them the importance of providing for their families in the future. I do not judge success by what we do on the field. I judge success by watching these men graduate and continuing to be faithful servants of the Lord.”

Prior to playing for Harding, Guzman played club soccer for Dallas Texans '87, helping lead the team to state and regional championships and a third-place finish at the U.S. Youth National Tournament. In 2000, Guzman was selected for the North Texas '86 Men's Olympic Development Program pool. The following year, Guzman made the ODP team and participated in the regional camp.

Harding begins its first season as a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association in men's soccer in 2012. Last season was Harding's last in the Gulf South Conference.