Charlotte 49ers men’s soccer coach Kevin Langan announced the hiring of Jason Osborne as an assistant coach. Osborne, who was a former associate head coach at Gardner-Webb University, has been the Boys’ Director of Coaching for F.C. Carolina Alliance for the last three years. Osborne joins Kyle Gookins on the 49ers coaching staff.

“We are excited that Jason will be joining the coaching staff,” Langan said. “He has a wealth of experience both as a player and as a coach. He will make an immediate impact in the program with his energy and personality. Jason is a players’ coach who the players will relish working with.”

Since 2009, he has been the Boys’ Director of Coaching for F.C. Carolina Alliance. He has also spent the past three years as a member of North Carolina’s Olympic Development Coaching staff.

Prior to joining the F.C. Carolina Alliance coaching staff, he spent four years as Associate Head Coach at Gardner-Webb University from 2005-08. During his time at Gardner-Webb, he helped the Bulldogs reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 2006. That season, he helped Gardner-Webb reach the Atlantic Sun Championship game for the first time in school history as well. While a member of the coaching staff at Gardner-Webb, Osborne helped with recruiting, practice planning, game preparation and the day-to-day running of the program.

Prior to beginning his coaching career, Osborne enjoyed a stellar four-year playing career at Stetson University (2001-04). He earned All-Atlantic Sun honors in each of his four seasons. He earned first-team All-Atlantic Sun honors in each of his last three collegiate seasons. As a junior and a senior, he was named NSCAA second-team All-Region.

Osborne helped Stetson qualify for the A-Sun Tournament in each of his four seasons including leading the Hatters to the A-Sun Tournament Championship game in 2002. He earned A-Sun All-Tournament team honors twice.

The Leicester, England native was recently inducted into the Stetson University Athletic Hall of Fame after finishing his collegiate career with 22 goals, 19 assists and 63 career points.

Osborne also represented Great Britain in the World University games in Turkey in 2005 and Thailand in 2007. In 2007, he helped Great Britain’s squad win their group and advance to the medal round. He also earned six caps playing for England’s Futsal team on a tour through Romania. He also is a former youth player for the Derby County professional soccer team.

Osborne graduated from Stetson with a degree in Business Administration in 2004. He earned a Master’s of Business Administration from Gardner-Webb in 2007.

"I am very honored to have the opportunity to work at Charlotte,” Osborne said. “Having the chance to work with some of the top soccer players in the country and to continue my coaching career under Kevin Langan is an unbelievable opportunity.  I cannot wait begin.”