Charlotte, N.C.
-- Charlotte 49ers Director of Athletics Judy Rose announced the hiring of John Cullen as head women’s soccer coach, today. Cullen, who played on the 49ers nationally-ranked men’s soccer team in the early 1990’s, succeeds Jon Lipsitz, who resigned to take the head coaching position at Kentucky.

"I am extremely pleased to have someone with John’s character, abilities and accomplishments but the one thing that you can never put a price tag on -- the one thing that truly excites me -- is his passion for our program," Rose said. "To have an alum, who was a member of our soccer program, who has great coaching credentials, come home is the best of both worlds. What he’s done there is remarkable and I think the sky’s the limit for him, here. He has a vision for our program that exceeds what we have done."

Cullen, a native of London, England, has coached Catawba College for the past eight years, winning a pair of South Atlantic Conference championships and taking the Indians to four NCAA Division II Regionals and two regional finals. He was a four-time SAC Coach of the Year and was named the NSCAA Regional Coach of the Year in 2005 after leading the Indians to a 16-4-1 record that included a regular-season title in the South Atlantic Conference and a trip to the NCAA Regional final.

"I’ve been smiling since yesterday afternoon," Cullen said. "First, I need to to give a special thank you to athletic director Judy Rose and Kim Whitestone for their faith and belief in me to lead the program forward. I’m truly honored to be named the 49ers next women’s soccer coach. UNC Charlotte has been home to me on many, many fronts. I enjoyed a playing career here, formed lifelong relationships and Charlotte has made a difference in my life and I hope to come back and make a difference in Charlotte’s life. When I walked back on campus yesterday and was welcomed so warmly, it was like when I first walked on campus in 1989 - I truly knew I was home. I’m glad to be back among the Charlotte family once again. I treasured my time at Catawba and the relationships I formed there and I wish them the best in every venture. Now, I’m looking forward to my new adventure with the 49ers women’s soccer team."

In eight years at Catawba, Cullen posted a 113-33-16 record.

He has coached a pair of all-Americans, an academic all-America and two SAC Players of the Year.

In addition to his collegiate resume, Cullen boasts strong ties at the Olympic Development level. Cullen served as Director of Coaching at the Charlotte Soccer Club from 1992-2001. In 2001, he began working with the North Carolina Olympic Development Program and joined the US Region III ODP staff in 2006. Overall, he posted a 46-4 record with the NC ODP program including an unbeaten, unscored upon slate in 16 games with the ‘90’s NC ODP team.

For three years, Cullen served as Executive Director of Soccer with the FC Carolina Alliance in Concord, N.C. and is currently involved with the South Charlotte Football Club.

Cullen graduated from UNC Charlotte in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English after a four-year career with the 49ers men’s soccer team. He was a member of the 49ers first NCAA Tournament team in 1991 which peaked at #2 in the national rankings, as well as the 1992 NCAA Tournament team.