Alcorn names new Head Soccer Coach

Story from Alcorn Athletics:

LORMAN, Miss. — Coach Ken Kabiru joins Alcorn State University as the Head Women’s Soccer Coach, bringing a wealth of experience from his roles in various aspects of soccer. Most recently, he served in talent identification and advising, where he worked with a range of organizations, including national teams and clubs. 

    “I am thrilled to join Alcorn State University as the Head Women’s Soccer Coach. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the search committee, Interim AD Raines, Mr. Robinson, Ms. Williams, and President Dr. Cook for this incredible opportunity,” expressed Kabiru. “The chance to work with such a dedicated team and contribute to the university’s rich athletic tradition is truly exciting. I look forward to collaborating with our players, staff, and the Alcorn community as we embark on this exciting journey together and strive to build a successful program.”

    Originally from Kenya, Kabiru made significant strides in soccer coaching across various institutions before his role in talent identification and advising. His tenure as Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Salem University (NCAA Div 2) from 2017 to 2019 was particularly notable. Under his leadership, Salem University’s women’s soccer team achieved a remarkable turnaround, posting the best season record in the program’s history with an impressive 13-3-1 record. Coach Kabiru’s strategic acumen was pivotal in guiding the team to qualify for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championship for the first time, marking a milestone in the program’s history.

    Kabiru’s impact extended beyond just record-breaking seasons. His innovative coaching led the team to dominate NCAA Division II in several key statistical categories during the 2018-19 season. Salem University led the nation in scoring offense, points per game, and was second nationally in total goals, total points, and assists per game. Individual players thrived under his guidance, with one player ranking first nationally in goals per game and points per game, and another ranking second in total points. Additionally, a player ranked third in total goals scored and another ranked 14th.

    His players also received national recognition: one was named D2CCA First Team All-American, another earned D2CCA All-Atlantic Region First Team honors, and a third was selected for the D2CCA All-Atlantic Region Second Team.  Additionally, his players received prestigious ECAC awards, including Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Rookie of the Year. Several players also earned call-ups for the Women’s World Cup and Olympic qualifiers. Moreover, several players received call-ups for the Women’s World Cup and Olympic qualifiers matches.

    Following his success at Salem, Coach Kabiru continued to make an impact at Albany State University from 2019 to 2020. Under his leadership, the team achieved the best record in program history during their inaugural season in the Peach Belt Conference. He also had a player named to the Peach Belt All-Conference team. Additionally, Kabiru’s commitment to academic excellence was recognized with the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award. His goalkeeper was honored as the U-20 Goalkeeper of the Year in South America by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).

    Coach Kabiru played collegiate soccer at Davis & Elkins College and Mount Aloysius College. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Mount Aloysius College and is on course to graduate with a Master’s degree in Sports Management from Salem University.

    In addition to his coaching career, Coach Kabiru is the co-founder of Kabej, a peer-to-peer platform for sharing cars, stays, and experiences.