GRAMBLING, La. | Grambling State University women's soccer head coach
Justin Wagar has announced the hiring of Omar Anderson as Associate Head Coach.
Omar comes to GSU after leading the Columbia Basin College women's team as the head coach for the past eight years, including to a Northwest Community College title this fall.
"We are thrilled to have Omar joining our staff as associate head coach," said Wagar. "He brings experience and knowledge as a proven winner and will further enhance our program here at GSU."
Anderson is a native of Kingston, Jamaica, He moved to Alaska at age 16 and competed for Cook Inlet Soccer Club, East Anchorage High School, and Alaska ODP. He then signed to play after high school for Peninsula College in Port Angeles, Washington for the 2008-2009 seasons.
He then joined the Peninsula College coaching staff, assisting both the men's and women's programs, in 2010. During Anderson's tenure on the Peninsula College coaching staff from 2010 through 2015, the Men's Soccer Program won four Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) Championships (2010, 2012, 2013, 2015) and the Women's Soccer Program won two NWAC Championships (2012, 2013), and were runners-up in 2011 and 2014. Anderson, along with the 2012 and 2013 Men's Soccer players and coaching staff, were inducted into the NWAC Hall of Fame for their back-to-back championships.
Anderson was hired as Head Coach of Columbia Basin College Women's Soccer in 2016, turning around a program into an immediate title contender. In his 8 years at CBC, his overall record was 85-31-24 (.610%), and the program amassed 30 All-Region players, 1 East Region MVP, and the 2023 NWAC Championship MVP. He was named NWAC East Regional Coach of the Year in 2018 and 2022, and named NWAC Women's Soccer Coach of the Year in 2023, following CBC's NWAC Championship run. In addition to the 2023 Championship, his teams also made the NWAC Final 4 in 2021 and 2022. CBC's 2023 NWAC Championship was the program's first since 2008. At time of Anderson's departure the Hawks were Nationally Ranked #2 on the United Soccer Coaches poll for Junior Colleges (DII).
While at Columbia Basin College, Anderson was also very active in youth club soccer, serving on the Technical Staff of Three Rivers Soccer Club in Tri-Cities, Washington, and also was Head Coach for various boys and girls Premier level teams from ages U13-U19. At the club level in 2022, his 3RSC GU19 Black team won Washington Youth Soccer State Championships, USYS Far West Regionals, and advanced to the semifinals at the USYS National Championships. In addition to club duties, Anderson was also a Head Coach for Eastern Washington Elite Player Development (Olympic Development Program) from 2016-2020.
Anderson currently holds his USSF 'B' License, and enjoys watching soccer, traveling and being with family in his free time.
"I am truly honored and excited to be a part of this university," said Anderson. "I look forward to working with Coach Wagar and our student athletes who are competing at the highest level continue to strive for excellence on and off the field. I would like to thank coach
Justin Wagar and the Grambling State Athletic Department for providing me the opportunity to represent such a storied university that provides student-athletes with a top-level education and athletic experience."
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