Jon Freeman is in his eighth season as the W&L men’s soccer assistant coach in 2023.
Under Freeman's assistance, the Generals saw their most successful season in program history in 2021, which culminated in an NCAA Semifinals appearance, the first such appearance in program history. The team finished the campaign with an 18-2-2 overall record, while also going 7-1-2 in ODAC play during the regular season. The team also earned the program's first-ever No. 1 national ranking from the United Soccer Coaches, and remained the top-ranked team in Division III over the final six weeks of the season. Freeman and the rest of the coaching staff earned the United Soccer Coaches Regional Staff of the Year honor. The 2022 season also marked the first in program history in which multiple players were named All-Americans, as Jack Rawlins '22, Samuel Bass '23 and Michael Kutsanzira '23 each claimed recognition from the United Soccer Coaches and D3soccer.com.
After the 2020 season was delayed until the spring of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Generals played eight games and went 6-1-1 overall. W&L earned seven All-ODAC selections, led by Erik Recke '21, Jack Rawlins '22 and Michael Kutsanzira '23. Goalkeeper Michael Nyc, who was a third team all-conference honoree, became the second player in program history to be named a CoSIDA Academic All-American, garnering a second team nod, as he joined Gillen Beck '18 who also was a second team selection in for the 2017 season.
Freeman helped the 2019 team to its second straight ODAC title, its second trip to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in the last three seasons and a 17-3-3 overall record. Under Freeman's coaching, goalkeeper Michael Nyc '22 earned NCAA Statistical Champion recognition in shutouts (12), in addition to First Team All-ODAC honors. In addition, Oliver Dolberg '20 earned D3soccer.com Third Team All-America honors, while four players were named all-region and eight players secured All-ODAC accolades. The 2019 squad was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament following a 2-1 overtime loss to eventual national champion Tufts.
During the 2018 season, Freeman helped the Generals to a 14-3-2 overall record, a 9-0-1 conference mark and a 15-game unbeaten streak that the Generals carry into the 2019 season. The Generals won their fifth ODAC title in 2018 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for a program-record fourth straight season where they fell to John's Hopkins in penalty kicks.
Freeman helped the Generals to a 15-5-2 record and NCAA Division III Third Round appearance, the third consecutive season W&L has played in the national tournament. He was part of a coaching staff that was recognized by the United Soccer Coaches as the South Atlantic Regional Staff of the Year for the 2017 season
In Freeman’s first season, the Generals registered a 15-5-2 overall record and received an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament after falling to Lynchburg, 2-1, in the ODAC Championship game. W&L advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to Franklin & Marshall, 2-0.
Freeman returned to W&L after one season as the head men's soccer coach at neighboring Virginia Military Institute. There, he helped coach senior goalkeeper Alex Guerra to First Team All-Southern Conference and SoCon Goalkeeper of the Year accolades after leading the NCAA with 127 saves. He also helped mentor Grant Austin to the Southern Conference All-Freshman Team.
Freeman served as a volunteer assistant with the Generals for the 2014 season and was a volunteer assistant at Radford University during the 2013 campaign.
Prior to his arrival in the Shenandoah Valley, Freeman was the head coach at Ashland University for three seasons, before the program was discontinued for financial and equity issues. He led the Eagles to a 27-22-8 overall record, including a 13-5-3 mark in 2010 when he guided them to the NCAA Division II Tournament. He coached his players to All-GLIAC honors 12 times, while the team peaked at No. 21 in the Division II polls.
Freeman was also the head men's soccer coach at Ferrum for the 2009 season, and he was an assistant coach at Ashland from 2004-09 and at Radford from 2000-2004.
A 2000 graduate of The College of Wooster, Freeman was a four-year player for the Scots, earning all-conference laurels and serving as a team captain for his senior season.
Freeman is a member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and holds a National Coaching License from the organization.
