Roy Patton
Head Men's Soccer Coach
Roy Patton will begin his second season at the University of Mobile after posting a 16-3-1 record last season and leading the team to the NAIA National Tournament. Patton returns to the city that honored him in 1996 by naming May 30 “Roy Patton Day” in recognition of his contributions to area youth soccer.
Patton is a former professional soccer player in both Ireland and the U.S. (Glentoran FC and Bangor FC, both Irish Professional Teams, and in the USISL with the Mobile Revelers and Vermont Wanderers). He was head men’s soccer coach at the University of South Alabama from 1980-1996, earning honors as Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year 12 times.
At USA he had 14 consecutive NCAA Division 1 winning seasons, won the Sun Belt Conference from 1991-1995, and had a 100 percent graduation rate among four-year student-athletes. He was presented the National Meritorious Award for services to the game of soccer by the National Intercollegiate Soccer Official Association in 1993. In 1993, Patton was named director for both the men’s and women’s soccer programs. During the remainder of his tenure, the women’s team went 21-13-2 and ended the 1995 season ranked No. 8 in the South Region.
At the University of Vermont, where he served as head men’s soccer coach from 1996-2003, the team won the America East in 2000 and made an NCAA appearance, was finalist in America East in 2002, and produced the first Vermont athlete to be named America East Men’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year for all sports. Patton was named America East Coach of the Year in 1998 and 2000
Patton’s combined record at USA and as head men’s soccer coach at the University of Vermont is 270-146-36. When he left the collegiate coaching ranks for the athletic directorship at Plattsburgh State, Patton was ranked nationally in the top 20 among active Division I coaches in career wins and career winning percentage.
Along with the success his players have enjoyed on the field and in the classroom, a number of Patton’s pupils have gone on to make their own marks in soccer. Eddie Carvacho played in the MLS, served as the U.S. National Team goalkeeper and is currently the goalkeepers coach at Clemson University. Colin Carmichael played for the Mobile Revelers and is the head coach of Oklahoma State’s women’s soccer program, and Brett Jacobs is an assistant coach for the 2010 MLS Champion Colorado Rapids. Patton also coached Goggi Rognavaldursson, who was named All-American, Academic All-American and was the NCAA Div I leading goal scorer in 1989. Patton has mentored numerous other players who have gone on to play professionally and enter the coaching ranks at various levels.
Also, Patton has served as coaching director of Nordic Spirit Soccer Club in Burlington, Vermont (1999-2004); as director of athletics at Plattsburgh State University in New York (2004-2005); and as general manager and technical director of Middleton Yahara Soccer Club in Wisconsin (2006 to present). Previously, he was a chemistry and biology teacher with the Mobile County Public School System at Citronelle and Satsuma high schools (1982-1987) and was a science and physical education teacher in Belfast, Northern Ireland (1978-1980).
He is a U.S. Soccer Federation “A” licensed coach and holds certifications with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, advanced national diploma, and Irish Football Association Grade 1.
He was a founder and board member for the Mobile Revelers professional soccer franchise, and founder and board member for Vermont Wanderers, now known as the Vermont Voltage and rated as one of the best Professional Player Development Soccer League franchises in the U.S. He has served as a regional Olympic development coach from 1988-1992, and as state director of coaching in Alabama from 1988-1992. He served as chairman for soccer in the Sun Belt Conference from 1990-1994 and served on the NCAA Tournament Regional Selection Committee from 1990-1993.
Patton holds a bachelor of education in biology and physical education from Queens University in Belfast, Northern Ireland; a master of education in exercise technology from University of South Alabama; and a Doctor of Education in sports management from the United States Sports Academy.
He is married to Dr. Katherine Habeeb, M.D., of Mobile and they have two children.