Gail Macklin

Hometown: Glengormley, Northern Ireland Position: Head Coach Experience: Third Season

Alma Mater: Southern Miss, '01

Gail Macklin has been a part of Southern Miss soccer from since its conception, first as a founding member and player in the program, volunteer assistant, assistant coach and now as head coach. She was hired as the school's third soccer coach on June 29, 2004.

Now entering her third year as the head coach, Macklin, one of the youngest head coaches in the nation, has firmly implemented her vision and goals for the program, and believes that success will soon follow.

The 2005 season saw the team finish with a 4-9-2 record, but that result could have easily been reversed, as the Lady Eagles dropped four one goal games, two coming in double overtime and one in overtime. But the 2005 season also had its bright spots, as Macklin coached the school's first Conference USA All-Freshman in three years, Sarah McFadden.

In her debut season in 2004, Macklin guided the team to a 5-11-1 record. The 2004 season saw Macklin get her first win in her first game on the sideline, defeating Samford 3-1 on August 27, 2004. Later that year, the team won its first tournament title under her watch, claiming the Kelme Port City Classic Championship in Mobile, Ala. In addition, Macklin also coached Lauren Prewitt, who earned third-team All-Conference USA honors.

Before taking the head coaching position, Macklin served two years as an assistant coach under Matt Clark from 2002-03. In 2003, Macklin helped lead the program to a 9-7-3 mark, the third nine-win season in school history.

Prior to that, Macklin began her collegiate coaching career as a volunteer coach at Southern Miss in the 2000 and 2001 seasons, helping the team to back-to-back winning records, 9-8 and 9-7 respectively. Macklin also has coached with the Mississippi Olympic Development Program and with the Hattiesburg Youth Soccer Association.

When women's soccer was started at Southern Miss in 1997, Macklin was a member of the inaugural team, and enjoyed a successful playing career. The 1997 team finished 11-5, setting the school record in wins and fewest losses. That same season, Macklin was named Soccer Buzz All-National First Team, for first-year programs.

As a senior in 1999, she led the team to a 10-9 mark, as it finished with the second-highest total in school history in wins. Macklin helped lead Southern Miss to a 27-24-3 mark during her playing days.

She was a three-year letterwinner during her career, playing in 49 games with 32 starts, primarily as a midfielder, recording two goals, eight assists and 12 points. She ranks sixth in school history with eight assists and is tied with Assistant Coach Claire Rea for fifth on the school's single season total in assists, recording five in 1997. She is also tied for the school's single-season lead in games played, with 20 in 1999. In addition to her playing career at Southern Miss, Macklin also played one season at East Antrim Institution.

Macklin was also a member of the Northern Ireland national team for six years, helping the team advance to the cup finals from 1992-96. She also played on the Irish National team in 2004, and played on the Post Office United Club team from 1992-97, helping the team to a county championship.

A native of Glengormley, Northern Ireland, Macklin is a 2001 graduate of Southern Miss with a bachelor's degree in sport administration and human performance. She is the daughter of Moria and Henry Macklin.

The Macklin File
Biographical Information
Hometown: Glengormley, Northern Ireland
Education: Bachelor's degree, sport administration and human performance: Southern Miss, 2001

Playing Experience:
1997-99:Southern Miss: Midfielder
1992-96, 04: Northern Ireland National Team
1992-97: Post Office United Club Team

Coaching Experience:
2000-01Southern Miss: Volunteer Coach
2002-03: Southern Miss: Assistant Coach
2004-present:Southern Miss: Head Coach
Overall Record:9-20-3

Macklin's Year-By-Year Coaching Record:
2000: Volunteer Assistant: 9-8
2001: Volunteer Assistant: 9-7
2002: Assistant Coach: 6-10-1
2003: Assistant Coach: 9-7-3
2004: Head Coach: 5-11-1
2005: Head Coach: 4-9-2

Macklin's Record Vs. All Opponents
Arkansas Little-Rock -- 1-0
Birmingham-Southern -- 1-0
Centenary -- 0-1-1
Charlotte -- 0-1
Cincinnati -- 1-0
East Carolina -- 0-2
Houston -- 0-0-1
Jacksonville St. -- 0-1
Louisiana-Lafayette -- 1-0
Louisville -- 0-1
Marshall -- 1-0
Memphis -- 0-1
Mississippi Valley St. -- 1-0
Murray State -- 1-0
Rice -- 0-1
Saint Louis -- 0-1
Samford -- 1-1
South Alabama -- 0-1
Stetson -- 1-0
Tennessee-Martin -- 0-0-1
TCU -- 0-1
Tulane -- 0-2
UAB -- 0-2
UCF -- 0-1
USF -- 0-1
UTEP -- 0-1