Chris Cahill was elevated to Kennesaw State women's soccer head coach on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 after serving as an associate head coach the previous season. He becomes just the third head coach in program history.
The 2025 season was highlighted by KSU’s dominant 7-1 victory over Alabama State (Sept. 17). It was the most goals the Owls had netted in a single match since 2016, as there were six unique goal scorers. At the end of the season, graduate transfer Rebecca Womer led all players with 10 points and four goals. Defender Raelyn Prince received third team All-CUSA honors as she bagged three goals and tallied two assists for eight points.
In his first season as head coach, Cahill faced a gauntlet of a schedule sporting two Power Four programs and two 2024 NCAA postseason squads. Highlighting the season was the 3-0 dominant win over eventual Conference USA champion FIU, handing the Panthers their lone league loss. Under his tutelage, the Owls earned the program’s first CUSA Offensive Player/Goalkeeper of the Week (10/22) in Charlee Bernal and Tianna Rivera. Rivera cemented herself as a KSU all-time great posting a career-best season with seven goals, four assists and 18 points. She became the program's first All-CUSA honoree, receiving second team accolades. She was also named to the USC All-Region Third Team.
Cahill began his tenure at The Nest in 2023, serving as associate head coach. KSU recorded seven shutouts this season, including four in conference play. He oversaw the continued development of Tianna Rivera, who received third team All-ASUN honors after starting all 19 matches and leading the Owls in points (7) and goals (3).
Prior to KSU, Cahill earned over a decade of experience at Middle Tennessee State University serving as the Blue Raiders’ associate head coach. He coached 29 all-conference selections including Conference USA’s all-time goal scoring record and points holder, Peyton DePriest.
“I am extremely humbled and grateful for the opportunity to be the next head coach at KSU,” said Cahill. “I would like to thank President Schwaig, AD Milton Overton, COO Tamica Smith Jones and the team for the opportunity to lead the program into Conference USA.
“I have followed KSU soccer since its inception and always felt that Rob King and Benji Walton made this a special place. I look to continue to build upon that tradition and am excited to move forward with this group. I would like to thank my wife, family, and all the coaches who have taught me something along the way. I would not be in this position if it wasn’t for their guidance and support.”
The Blue Raiders got off to a hot start with Cahill on staff as the team recorded the program's most wins and shutouts during a four-year period from 2012-2015. MTSU also finished the 2012 season second nationally in scoring offense.
During his time in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Cahill coached two Conference USA Freshman of the Year and two CUSA Offensive Players of the Year. He also had 20 student-athletes selected to academic all-conference teams while three were named academic all-Americans.
While at MTSU, Cahill was also responsible for identifying and building relationships with recruits for the 2013-21 classes.
Prior to his time in Tennessee, Cahill was as an assistant coach at the University of Evansville. He aided in video breakdowns of games and practice while serving as the recruiting coordinator in 2011 and 2012.
Before Evansville, Cahill was a full-time volunteer assistant at Auburn from 2009-2011. He was promoted from a graduate assistant role after the squad won the SEC West in 2010. The Tigers made back-to-back trips to the NCAA tournament during Cahill's tenure.
Cahill is familiar with the Peach State as he coached at Harrison High School located down the road from the Kennesaw State campus. While on staff, the Hoyas tallied two regional titles and were ranked as the number-one team in the country for 12 consecutive weeks in 2008.
Cahill is no stranger to Kennesaw State as he served on campus as an Assistant to the Director of Student-Athlete Services in 2008. He assisted with advising, class registration and supervised study hall.
Cahill is a graduate of Georgia Southern with a bachelor's degree in sport management. He received his master's degree from Auburn in business and marketing education.
