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PIKEVILLE – UPIKE men’s soccer fans will notice a new head coach on the sidelines during the upcoming season. A veteran of 14 years of head coaching experience on the high school level is the new men’s soccer coach at the University of Pikeville.

Fayetteville, Ga., native Shane Pulliam has been named the fourth head coach of the Bears. He replaces Kevin Reigle, the former all-conference goalkeeper who also bowled at Pikeville, who is now the head coach at Montgomery County High School.

“Shane Pulliam brings a lot of excitement and passion about the game of soccer to Pikeville,” said Dr. Reginald Overton, director of athletics. “He has a glowing resume and came with the strong support of Ray Wells, who has led Lindsey Wilson College to nine national championships. We’re excited to bring him to ‘The Hill’ and welcome him to the community.”

Pulliam played for Wells in junior college.

Pulliam has a BA in history from LaGrange, Ga., College, where he played on the 1992 team that was regional runner-up. He was the leading scorer and team captain at Andrew College in Cuthbert, Ga.

As a high school coach, Pulliam was named the Georgia State Coach of the Year in both 2007 and 2008. He coached the Georgia team to the 2000 national championship in the NHSCA High School Open at Disney’s Wide World of Sports.

“This has been a dream of mine for a long time, and I’m very thankful to have it come true in Pikeville,” Pulliam said. “I’m very humbled that Gov. (Paul) Patton, James Hurley and Dr. Overton have the confidence in me to put me in charge of the program, and I’m ready to go to work to build on the success Pikeville soccer has already experienced.

“I’m also very thankful to the committee who treated us so well when we visited campus. I’m looking forward to working closely with this successful group of people.”

A five-year coach of club soccer, he has coached one Wendy’s High School Heisman Award Winner, one All-American, five All-South players, one Academic All-South player and seven all-state players.

Off the field of play, Pulliam’s high school teams were active in such organizations as Pennies for Patients, Cancer awareness and Special Olympics. His team has earned the NSCAA Team Academic Award every year since 2005 for having a GPA of at least 3.29.