David McDowell began as the Lady Bears head soccer coach in 2007. Native to Belfast, Northern Ireland, McDowell brings an impressive resume to Truett McConnell University's soccer program.
McDowell attended Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C. and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He continued his education at Columbia International University in Columbia, S.C. where he received his Master’s degree in Theology.
After college, McDowell played for FC Kandern, a semi-professional soccer team in Germany, in 1999-2000. McDowell brings experience and knowledge to the Bears soccer program. He currently holds a USSF ‘D’ coaching license, and a NSCAA ‘National Diploma.’
McDowell has several years of coaching experience at both the collegiate and high school level. Prior to TMU, he spent one year as an assistant soccer coach at White County High School in Cleveland, Ga. McDowell transitioned into the role as TMU’s assistant men and women’s soccer coach in 2004. In 2007, McDowell was made head coach over both teams. It wasn’t until 2012 that McDowell solidified his role as the women’s head coach.
The Lady Bears have been very successful, on the field and in the community, under McDowell’s leadership. Since joining the AAC in 2013, his team has made it to the 'final 4' in every season including making it to the Championship game in two of these seasons, including the most recent 2017 season, where the team finished with a 12-7-1 record.
Standout athletes for the 2017 season include: Katey Griggs, AAC First Team All Conference; Rachel Barnett, Jessica Lanier, Megan McCall and Ashlyn Walloch, all AAC Second Team All Conference.
The Lady Bears also garnered recognition within the community as they gave over 1500 hours of community service for the past year.
McDowell coaches with a “Family first, team second,” motto. “This is the essence to TMU’s athletic program,” McDowell said. “My hope is that my team will understand that while our goal is to be successful on the field, and we strive to win every game, we must do it as a family. This motto overlaps every other area – whether community service, accountability, academics – if we are willing to sacrifice for each other and grow cohesively as a collective unit in Christ, I believe we will be successful in all areas.”
McDowell, his wife Traci and daughter Rachel, 7, live in Cleveland, Ga.
