Classics Elite’s Ashley Whittemore hired as head coach for Stephen F. Austin State

NACOGDOCHES, TX – Stephen F. Austin State University announced Ashley Whittemore as the 11th head coach of the women’s soccer program.

Whittemore will be making her return to the Piney Woods after she served as an assistant coach from 2018-21. Most recently, Whittemore has been serving as the Girls Director of Coaching/ECNL Senior Head Coach/WPSL Head Coach at the Classics Elite Soccer Academy since 2023. During her time with the Classics Elite Soccer Academy, she has two players named to the US Soccer National Team, two players earn regional player of the year honors, and placed second in the WPSL Lonestar Conference in 2024.

“I am incredibly honored to return to Stephen F. Austin as the head coach of the Women’s Soccer program.” said Whittemore “SFA holds a special place in my heart, and I’m thrilled to once again be part of this community. I want to thank Athletic Director Michael McBroom and President Weaver for this amazing opportunity. I look forward to building upon the previous success of this highly decorated program and working with this talented group of student-athletes!”

“I’m thrilled to welcome Ashley Whittemore back to SFA to lead our women’s soccer program.” said Director of Athletics, Michael McBroom “I first knew of Ashley as a tough, driven and highly competitive collegiate player. She has carried those championship characteristics with her in her coaching career with successful experience at each of her stops in Division I, Division II, high school, and Texas club soccer. She is highly respected and connected in coaching and player circles, and enthusiastically embraces the championship expectations we have for our soccer program. We are excited to have Ashley, JD, Harmony, and Harrison back in the Lumberjack family.”

Whittemore served as an Assistant Coach at UTSA during the 2022 season that saw the Roadrunners win the Conference USA Tournament and make an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. She helped coach three United Soccer Coaches All-South Region selections, four Conference USA All-Conference selections, the Conference USA Tournament Offensive and Defensive MVP, four Conference USA All-Tournament selections, four Conference USA All-Academic Team selections, and two CSC Academic All-District selections.

Prior to UTSA, Whittemore spent four seasons in the Piney Woods as an assistant coach under Wally Crittenden and Tony Minatta. In those four seasons, the ‘Jacks were Southland Conference Tournament Runner-ups in 2018 and 2019, 2020 Southland Conference Champions, 2021 WAC Southwest Division Champions and Tournament Semi-Finalists. She helped coach 15 All-Conference Selections (12 SLC, 3 WAC) and two United Soccer Coaches All-Pacific Region Team Selections.

Before her first stint at SFA, Whittemore served as the Women’s Assistant Soccer Coach at St. Edward’s from 2012-16. St. Edwards appeared in the NCAA DII Tournament every season, made a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2013 and 2015, and an Elite 8 appearance in 2013. Whittemore helped coach six NCAA All-Americans during her time at St. Edwards. St. Edward’s won the Heartland Conference four years in a row (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) and the conference tournament in 2014.

While serving at St. Edward’s, Whittemore also served as the Girls Director of Coaching for the Austin Texans Soccer Club from 2009-15, and Director of Coaching for the Lonestar Soccer Club from 2015-18. The Lonestar Soccer Club under Whittemore’s leadership won the South Texas State Championship in 2016 and 2017, and were South Texas State Finalists in 2013, 2014, and 2015. Lonestar was also the first South Texas team to qualify for the USYS National League. They qualified in 2015, 2016, and 2017, and were quarterfinalists in the Region III Championship in 2016 and semifinalists in 2017. In 2015 Lonestar was the USYS Regional Southern Premier League Runner-up.

Whittemore also coached with the Olympic Development program from 2005-14, and at Westlake High School from 2009-13 where she won four district titles, four Texas State playoff appearances, and three regional semifinals.

Whittemore played collegiate soccer at West Texas A&M from 2001-05 where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology. She also has a US Soccer Federation National “A” License. She and her husband JD have two children; Harmony and Harrison.