Stafford Named Women's Soccer Head Coach
PAXTON, MA— The Anna Maria College Athletic Department has announced the hiring of Neil Stafford as their new Head Womens' Soccer Coach.
"After almost 15 years away, It's quite surreal to be given this opportunity to coach at a place that is roughly 20 miles from where I grew up (Marlborough, MA). I went to prep school (Worcester Academy), played club soccer (Sutton Fuller Hamlets) and had my first head coaching opportunity (Assumption University) in this area." Stafford said. "I am so grateful for my relationship with Joe Brady, for the opportunity to 'come home', and be a part of his staff. We are going to build a culture of success on the field, in the classroom, and in this great community. At this stage of my life/career, Anna Maria is a fantastic fit for me personally & professionally"
Neil most recently served as the head women's soccer coach at the University of Cincinnati from 2012-2022. He won a conference championship in 2015 and participated in the NCAA tournament as well as appearing in the conference finals in 2021. Stafford's success was not just on the field, but also in the classroom. During the 2018-2019 school year Stafford's team earned a 3.79 GPA ranking as the highest in the nation (Across DI-DIII). At Cincinnati Stafford recruited and coached Vanessa Gilles who is currently competing for team Canada in this summers womens world cup as well as playing for the Professional Football with Olympique Lyon in France.
Prior to taking the reins at Cincinnati, Neil spent two years at the helm of the Central Michigan program (2011-12) after serving two years as an associate head coach (2009-10). Prior to taking over head coaching duties, Central Michigan won back-to-back MAC titles and earned a pair of NCAA berths while serving as an associate head coach.
Stafford got his start coaching at the collegiate level in 1995 as a men's assistant coach at Southern New Hampshire, serving until 1997. In 2000, Stafford joined as the associate head coach for the men's and women's programs at Assumption College. In 2001, Stafford spent eight seasons as the head women's soccer coach at Assumption College, where he is the program's all-time winningest coach.
At Assumption, Stafford was named the Northeast-10 Conference Coach of the Year in 2004 after guiding the Greyhounds to their first NE-10 conference final, NCAA Division II Tournament berth and NCAA Regional final appearance (Sweet 16). Assumption finished the season 14th in the nation with a final record of 15-6. Stafford's squad followed up the breakthrough 2004 campaign with another NCAA Tournament appearance in 2005, finishing 15-4-4 and returning to the NCAA Regional finals (Sweet 16), climbing as high as third in the nation.
"I am excited to add Neil to our department as the next women's soccer coach. His wealth of experience at a high level will serve our women's soccer student-athletes and department well," commented Director of Athletics Joseph Brady '96. "I know he will hit the ground running and I am looking forward to watching our women's soccer team this upcoming season under his transformational leadership."
A graduate of Marlborough (Mass.) High School, Neil played soccer, hockey and tennis. He also prepped a year at Worcester Academy where he played soccer. Stafford attended Norwich University, competing in both tennis and soccer, before transferring to Southern New Hampshire. He helped lead the Penmen to a two-year record of 29-4-4 He also played with the Boston Storm (USL).
Stafford was also part of the coaching staff for the GPS / Boston Renegades (W-League) along with club experience as the Girls Coaching Director for Seacoast United.
