Southern Miss has found its next leader for the women’s soccer program.
Danny Owens, one of the most successful coaches in NAIA history and a longtime fixture at William Carey University, will be the Golden Eagles’ next women’s soccer head coach, sources told the Pine Belt News.
Owens comes to Southern Miss after 21 successful seasons at William Carey. He has posted 19 winning seasons with a 358-72-19 overall record.
This past season, Owens led the Crusaders to a 20-2 mark and a Round of 16 appearance in the NAIA National Tournament. The squad ranked No. 1 nationally at the end of the regular season as they captured the Southern States Athletic Conference tournament championship and reached the NAIA National Tournament for the 17th time in his tenure.
"We are thrilled to bring Danny Owens on board to lead our women's soccer program,” said Southern Miss Athletic director Jeremy McClain. “Danny brings a championship resume, outstanding leadership qualities, and the ability to build a winning culture. He and his staff have a great plan for the future, and we look forward to helping them elevate our program within the Sun Belt Conference."
"I'd like to first thank William Carey University for the opportunity to lead this program," Owens said per release. "From the administration to the fans, the support has been incredible over the years,"
In 2024, Owens guided the Lady Crusaders to a 20-2-1 record, a final ranking of No. 5 in the NAIA Coaches Top 25 Poll, an SSAC Tournament championship and the program’s 16th national tournament appearance under his leadership. During his tenure, Carey also advanced to four NAIA national championship matches — winning the 2018 national title — along with six Final Four appearances and 11 quarterfinal trips or better.
"Good coaches are made by good players, and I can't thank all of the players that have competed for us over the years enough," Owens said. "Their work and dedication to be the best every day has made this opportunity possible. I can never thank the current and past players enough for what they have given to this program. And to my family, thank you for always being there and supporting me during this journey," added Owens. "William Carey will always be home."Before arriving at Carey, Owens served as the head girls’ soccer coach at Our Lady Academy in Bay St. Louis, compiling a 60-12-7 record and winning three consecutive Mississippi high school state championships.
A former William Carey men’s soccer standout from 1996-99, Owens earned all-conference, all-region and NAIA first-team All-American honors during his playing career. He was inducted into the William Carey Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.
Owens holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in industrial-organizational psychology from William Carey.
Owens and his wife, Katie, have two sons, Michael and Aiden.
For William Carey, the search for its next women’s soccer coach is underway immediately.
This is a breaking news story and will continue to be updated
