The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Joel Wallace Named Assistant Coach Blazers' Men's Soccer Program
2/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Feb. 27, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Joel Wallace, a former UAB assistant who has spent the past 11 years as the head men's soccer coach at Westminster (Mo.) College, has rejoined the Blazers' staff as an assistant coach, according to an announcement by head coach Mike Getman. Wallace will replace former assistant coach Ernie Yarborough, who left to take a similar position at the University of Wisconsin.
Wallace specializes in working with goalkeepers and will assume that role in his new position with the Blazers. Getman feels Wallace will be an excellent addition to his staff and for his players in the years to come.
"Coach Wallace brings a lot of energy and experience to our team," Getman said. "I am very excited to add such an outstanding coach to our program His primary responsibility will be coaching our goalkeepers, but he will have a hand in all aspects of UAB Soccer."
Wallace, who boasts just under 20 years of collegiate soccer coaching experience, has been the head men's coach at Westminter since 1998. Additionally, he coached the women's soccer team from 2005-08. Wallace was an assistant coach at UAB under Getman from 1994-96.
Wallace leaves the Westminster men's program as the winningest soccer coach in school history, racking up an 11-year record of 105-85-16. Additionally, he guided the Blue Jays to the school's first conference title in soccer and its first-ever NCAA tournament appearance in 2002. Including his one year spent as a head coach at his alma mater, MacMurray (Mo.) College, Wallace has compiled a career record of 121-91-17 during his 12-year head coaching career.
Prior to becoming a collegiate head coach, Wallace spent five seasons as an assistant coach at MacMurray College (1992-94 and Connecticut (1997), as well as with the Blazers. While at UAB, Wallace also earned his masters degree in athletic administration.
Wallace is a graduate of MacMurray College where he earned first-team all-conference and all-region honors in the net. During his playing days (1988-91), Wallace helped lead MacMurray to the NCAA Division III Sweet 16 (1990) and Elite Eight (1991). He was also tabbed a two-time Prairie College Conference Most Valuable Player (1989 and 1990). He still holds several school records, including most career shutouts (40), most shutouts in a season (18 in 1991) and most consecutive shutouts (7). His 18 shutouts during the 1991 campaign also is an NCAA Division III record.
Wallace has two children, a daughter, Ryli (14), and a son, Kevin (11).
