Coaches
Erik Solberg, Head Coach
In 2024, Solberg enters his first season as the head coach at Gardner-Webb after four seasons as the head coach at the University of Arkansas Pine-Bluff (UAPB).
At UAPB (2020-2023), Solberg steadied a program after being named the Golden Lions’ sixth different head coach in an eight-year span. By his third season in Pine Bluff, Solberg led UAPB to a 9-11 overall record, its best season since 2016, and a 4-4-1 conference record, the program’s best record in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play since 2015. The 2022 season opened with a 1-0 victory over Arkansas State University, the program’s first win over a Division I foe outside of conference play since 2011.
In 2023, the Golden Lions again finished with nine wins, completing the program’s best two-year stretch since 2010-2011. This past season, Solberg’s Golden Lions led the SWAC in scoring, finishing 18th-nationally in total goals (49) and 20th-nationally in goals per game (2.33).
During his tenure at UAPB, Solberg coached 12 all-conference players, including a SWAC Offensive Player of the Year (2022), Defensive Player of the Year (2023), and Freshman of the Year (2022), with eight SWAC Player of the Week recognitions.
Solberg is the only head coach in UAPB history to lead his team to four consecutive SWAC Tournament appearances. In each of Solberg’s four seasons at UAPB, the Golden Lions outperformed their preseason ranking.
Prior to Pine Bluff, Solberg was the head coach at Northwestern Oklahoma State University for one season (2019), where he led the Rangers to a 7-10-1 record, doubling their win total from the previous season and posting the program’s highest win total since becoming a full NCAA Division II member. Four of Solberg’s players earned all-conference recognition, including the Newcomer of the Year, as Northwestern Oklahoma posted its highest point total in conference play since 2004.
Solberg brings eight years of head coaching experience to Boiling Springs, having previously spent three seasons at Division III East Texas Baptist University (2016-2018), where he went 27-21-7. In 2017, Solberg led the Tigers to a program-record 13 wins, including an upset victory over NCAA Division I Alcorn State University. Under his leadership, two Tigers earned all-region honors and 17 players were named all-conference selections, including the American Southwestern Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year.
Prior to his time at East Texas, Solberg was an assistant coach at East Central University (2014-2015). He also served one season as a volunteer assistant at Nicholls State University (2013).
A native of Arlington Heights, Ill., Solberg was a student-athlete at the University of Mississippi, competing at the varsity level on the track and field and cross-country teams and scoring for the Rebels at the 2009 Southeastern Conference (SEC) Cross Country Championships. He was named to the SEC Honor Roll for the 2009-10 season and, during a season of graduate eligibility at Southeastern Louisiana University, was named to the Southland Conference Honor Roll.
Solberg is the seventh head coach in Gardner-Webb program history. He holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from Ole Miss (’12) and a Master’s of Education with a concentration in sports administration from East Central (’15). Solberg and his wife Shelby have a son, Hayes.
Mallory Coleman, Assistant Coach
In 2025, Coleman enters her second season as the assistant women's soccer coach at Gardner-Webb after most recently spending time as a director, both with Brilla Juniors Soccer Club and MS Rush United in Mississippi.
While with Brilla Juniors, Coleman has served as the program's executive director, beginning in 2018. The youth club, which offers competitive teams in ages U10 through U18, placed Coleman in position to define club roles and responsibilities, organize objectives and strategies for a membership base of over 250 athletes, and create a performance and merit based evaluation system.
Coleman's time with Brilla Juniors also included serving as the girls head coach, starting back in 2015. Coleman helped guide players through the youth program, guided by technical plans, team activities, and benchmarks for individual and team progress. In addition to her position with Brilla Juniors, Coleman has also spent several seasons as the girls director at MS Rush United, a position she took for the first time beginning in 2019.
Coleman also held down another coaching role as well, serving as the general manager and head coach for MS Blues Soccer Club. Members of the Gulf Coast Premier League, Coleman helped lead the club from its founding, including overseeing day-to-day operations, monitoring and handling the club's budget, developing systems to improve the club on and off the field, and leading fundraising efforts.
Prior to starting her career as a coach, Coleman graduated from the University of Mississippi with her BBA in Insurance and Risk Management in 2010. While at Ole Miss, Coleman played four seasons with the Rebels soccer program, serving as captain during her senior year.
A native of Clinton, MS, Coleman holds a USSF B-License, a USSF Coaching Educator License, and a United Soccer Coaching Director of Coaching Diploma. She has helped to develop local talent through various coaching and directing roles, as well as overseas talent, where Coleman has previous experience with soccer development and camps in the Bahamas, Mexico, Thailand, India, Kenya and South Africa.
"Mallory is a huge addition to our program. She is an excellent coach and her intentionality towards player and leadership development along with her soccer knowledge is a huge asset to Gardner-Webb Women's Soccer" says Runnin' Bulldogs head coach, Erik Solberg
Gardner-Webb University
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