HONOLULU – University of Hawai'i head women's soccer coach Pinsoom Tenzing announced the hiring of Jon Kiester as the new assistant coach on the Rainbow Wahine soccer staff.

Kiester comes to Hawai'i after spending five seasons as the head coach at Missouri S&T, formerly known as the University of Missouri-Rolla. After inheriting a team that won just three games in 2004, Kiester led a gradual improvement at Missouri S&T that saw the Lady Miners go 7-8-2 in 2008, posting the most wins for the program since 2003. His teams there were also honored every year for the team Academic Award by the NSCAA, posting a team GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Kiester returns to the islands, where he earned his bachelor's degree in history from Hawai'i Pacific University in 1994. He was the team captain at HPU for three seasons before going on to play professionally for the Hawai'i Tsunami for two seasons.

“I'm excited to have the opportunity to return to the islands,” Kiester said. “I'm happy to be able to be involved in the UH program and hope to help the program return to the top of the WAC.”

Prior to his time at Missouri S&T, Kiester was an assistant coach at Oregon for four seasons, where he played a large part in helping to recruit Hawai'i prep standouts Nicole Garbin (2000 State Player of the Year, Baldwin), Mele French (2001 State Player of the Year, Mililani) and Sarah Yoro (2004 OIA Player of the Year).

Before Oregon, Kiester was an assistant at Baylor for two seasons, both double-digit win years for the Bears. In 1999, Kiester assisted with a team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament. He also helped to recruit one of the top recruiting classes in the country to Baylor, according to Soccer Buzz magazine, in 2000.

Kiester holds a U.S. Soccer Federation “A” coaching license and an NSCAA Advanced National Diploma.

He also coached ODP teams in both Oregon and Missouri during his time in those states, with two of his Missouri state teams winning regional championships and competing in the ODP National Championships.

Kiester started his coaching career at South Torrance High School in California, where he was the head girl's soccer coach and a teacher at the school. Along with serving as the head coach for the varsity team, he also was in charge with overseeing the entire girl's program, comprised of three levels.

At South Torrance, he led the team to a California Interscholastic Federation co-championship and a perfect 14-0 record in 1998, helping him earn CIF Coach of the Year honors.

Kiester is a native of Redondo Beach, Calif., and is engaged to be married to Lindsey Werdell next month.
 

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