Men's Soccer 4/25/2025 5:00:00 PM Jake Woods

Maryville College Announces Leadership Restructure in Soccer Programs

MARYVILLE – Maryville College Director of Athletics Dr. Andrew Wu and Head Coach Pepe Fernandez are excited to announce new leadership roles within the Maryville College Soccer Programs.

Effective immediately, Fernandez becomes the Head Men's Soccer Coach, while longtime Associate Head Coach Jon Baker has been named Head Women's Soccer Coach.

Coach Fernandez has led the men's and women's soccer programs for the past 36 years, amassing more than 800 combined victories. Under his leadership, the Scots have earned national rankings and 17 NCAA Tournament appearances, highlighted by a Sweet 16 run from the men's team in 2005. His programs have produced over 50 All-South players and six All-Americans.

"Congratulations to my friend Jon Baker on becoming the Head Coach of the Women's soccer team at Maryville College!" Fernandez said. "I also want to thank him for the support he has given me over the years; he is truly one of the best coaches I know. To the current women's players, I will miss coaching you more than you can imagine! To our alumni, rest assured that the women's soccer team is under great leadership and will continue to be one of the top programs in the country.

"We remind our players that whenever something negative or positive happens on the field, the next step is to focus on how we respond. I am confident that Maryville College Soccer's response to this change, from both the players and coaches, will be fantastic. Scots by God! Stand Free!"

Fernandez ranks sixth in wins among active NCAA Division III men's soccer coaches (414, 22nd all-time) and fourth among active women's coaches (413, 10th all-time), boasting a combined career winning percentage of .688. He is a seven-time Coach of the Year and a 2011 inductee into the Maryville College Wall of Fame.

Coach Jon Baker joined the Scots' coaching staff in 2000 as an assistant for both programs and was promoted to Associate Head Coach in 2009. During his tenure, the teams have combined for an impressive 568-223-64 record.

"It's bittersweet that what has been the norm for the past 25 years is changing, and the camaraderie we have had as a staff will change," Baker said. "However, change is good. I'm forever thankful for my relationship with Pepe, and I consider his family my family and vice versa. I know he will always be there for me to pick his brain about anything. I'm excited to begin this next chapter, and I'm excited to continue to work with this great group of student-athletes."

Jon Baker

Baker's coaching career includes 127 All-Conference players, 41 All-South Region honorees, and two All-Americans. He has helped guide the Scots to 29 regular-season titles, 19 tournament championships, and 13 NCAA tournament appearances — including the 2005 Sweet 16 run. He also brings 17 years of experience as a coach with the Tennessee Olympic Development Program and was inducted into the Maryville College Athletics Wall of Fame in 2021.

Assistant Coach Jameson Elmore will now focus solely on the men's program, working alongside Coach Fernandez. Elmore shared his thoughts on the transition:

"In my young coaching career, it has truly been an honor to have played a small part in the continued success of Maryville College Soccer. To the women's team, I want to tell you all how proud I am to have been your coach and wish you all nothing but the best under Coach Baker's leadership. To the men, I am excited to add an additional level of focus and detail to what we do and build upon the rich history of the program. While this will be a big change for us, I look forward to the opportunity to carry on the legacy and traditions of Maryville College Soccer."

Athletics Director Dr. Andrew Wu expressed his excitement about the future of the programs:

"Our soccer programs have been uniquely successful under Coach Pepe's leadership for decades. I can't emphasize enough how impressive it is that he has maintained a culture of winning, great academics, and positive social engagement through a constantly changing landscape in higher education and collegiate athletics. I'm excited to move forward with this new model separating head coaching responsibilities between our current staff – Coaches Fernandez and Baker – providing continuity through change for our student-athletes."

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