COCHRAN, Ga.- For the first time in 20 years the Middle Georgia women's soccer program will be seeking new leadership as long-time head coach Vinny Gill officially announced on Thursday his retirement at a ceremony on campus.

The 2026 campaign recently wrapped for Gill and the MGA women's soccer program which culminated an impressive overall run for the Ireland native who has roamed the MGA soccer sidelines since 2007. Over that time period Gill and his teams have won 245 matches during a career that has stretched from the junior college ranks, the NAIA and NCAA Division II levels.

"This was a great experience for my family and I," said Gill. "I would like to thank all the MGA family who made it possible.  Above all, I would like to thank the players."

For the first seven seasons of his tenure Coach Gill led both the men's and women's soccer programs before shifting his focus to only leading the Knights' women's team starting with the 2014 season.

As the last remaining Middle Georgia coach who also maintains a regular teaching schedule as an Instructor in the History Department, Gill's legacy and impact goes far beyond the soccer pitch according to Director of Athletics, Michael Brown.

"Vinny has had a long and distinguished career where he's brought his own unique style into teaching and coaching. I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside him these past few years and I wish him and his family well as he enters the next phase of his journey," said Brown.

"Coach Gill's behind-the-scenes contributions to the Middle Georgia women's soccer program in addition to his impact on the lives of countless young women through his coaching contribute to a legacy I believe he can be very proud of from his time with our program."  

His time spent leading the Middle Georgia soccer programs has produced multiple Coach of the Year accolades for Gill while also seeing his team's earn back-to-back trips to the NAIA National Tournament in 2019 and 2020. While leading the Warriors his team won a state title in 2009 while earning Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) final four finishes each year from 2016-21.

Prior to his coaching tenure at Middle Georgia, Gill already had extensive experience as he boasted a 12-year run leading the Thomas University men's soccer program from 1993-2004. Following that stint came a successful two-year run at Feather River Community College in California (2005-06) before accepting the coaching opportunity to take over the helm of the Middle Georgia College men's and women's soccer programs in 2007.

A national search for the next leader of the Middle Georgia State women's soccer program is currently under way.