SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- John Brown University has named Nathan Lowery as the fourth head women's soccer coach in program history, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Robyn Daugherty announced Thursday morning (March 5).
"We are very excited to have Nathan join the Golden Eagle family," Daugherty said. "As we went through the interview process, it was clear that he was a great fit for JBU women's soccer. His heart for the Lord will be evident as he leads our women both on and off the field, and his commitment to detailed preparation and high standards will push our women to grow as individuals and as a team."
Lowery arrives in Siloam Springs fresh off the most decorated season in the recent history of Toccoa Falls (Ga.) men's soccer. In three years at the helm of the Screaming Eagles, Lowery engineered an incredible turnaround in NCCAA Division II – inheriting a program that had managed just four wins across the three seasons before his arrival.
"I am incredibly grateful to Robyn Daugherty, Dr. Pollard, and Dr. Hadley for entrusting me with the opportunity to lead this program," Lowery said. "Throughout this process, it was clear that Christ-centered leadership at John Brown University is genuinely lived out. My family and I are humbled and excited to join a community that so intentionally reflects the love and service of Christ, and we feel deeply grateful for the Lord's guidance in bringing us here."
Inheriting a roster of nine walk-ons and eight returning players, the Screaming Eagles finished 3-11-1 in his first season. Lowery responded by signing 21 freshmen in his first full recruiting class, and TFC improved to 6-10-2 in the second campaign, the program's most wins in a single season since 2017.
The third year brought a championship run. Toccoa Falls finished 14-5-3, captured the NCCAA Division II South Region title – the program's first since 2012 – and earned the No. 1 national seed in the NCCAA Division II National Tournament. The Screaming Eagles advanced to the national championship game, marking the program's first appearance on that stage since 1990, before falling 3-0 to Pensacola Christian (Fla.). Lowery was named the 2025 NCCAA Division II National Coach of the Year and South Region Coach of the Year in recognition of the turnaround.
Over his three seasons, Lowery compiled a 23-26-6 overall record at TFC while coaching one All-American, four First-Team All-Region selections, and five Second-Team All-Region honorees. The Screaming Eagles also recorded the program's first-ever win over Bob Jones (S.C.) during his tenure.
"I am also thankful for Dr. Paulsen and the faithful foundation she established within this program," Lowery added. "The standard of excellence and integrity she set is a legacy worth honoring, and it is truly a privilege to follow in her footsteps and continue building on what she has poured into JBU.
"I am excited for this opportunity to walk alongside these young women as they grow into leaders of strong character, women who impact and elevate those around them for the glory of God. As we pursue growth together, our desire is to represent Christ well in the way we compete, serve, and carry ourselves on and off the field."
The program Lowery inherits is one built on sustained excellence. He succeeds Dr. Kathleen Paulsen, who departed after 13 seasons to accept the head coaching position at NCAA Division I Lipscomb (Tenn.). Under Paulsen, the Golden Eagles compiled a 198-47-21 overall record (.784) while capturing seven Sooner Athletic regular season championships and eight SAC Tournament titles. JBU qualified for the NAIA National Championships 10 times in 13 seasons, including eight consecutive appearances, and advanced to back-to-back national quarterfinal rounds in 2024 and 2025, the program's best finishes on the national stage. The Golden Eagles climbed as high as No. 3 in the NAIA Coaches' Poll in 2025 and appeared in the top-25 rankings 99 consecutive times from 2016-25.
Before arriving at Toccoa Falls, Lowery built a diverse coaching background across multiple levels of the game. He served as a volunteer women's soccer assistant at NCAA Division II St. Edward's in Austin, Texas. At the club level, he served as head coach for three high school-aged girls' teams with FC Westlake Soccer. Lowery also spent three seasons as boys' varsity assistant and JV head coach at Bowie High School in Austin, helping the program post records of 15-5-4, 14-6-3, and 20-2-3 while contributing to the team's 2023 UIL Texas Boys' Soccer 6A Region 4 District Championship.
Lowery holds a Master of Science in Soccer Coaching Education from Ohio University, earned in December 2025, and a Bachelor of Science in Forestry and Natural Resources from Mississippi State University (2018). He also holds the United States Soccer Federation D License, earned in 2022. Beyond his collegiate duties, Lowery is the founder and owner of Lowery Next Level Soccer, a private youth player development business based in Gainesville, Ga.
Lowery and his wife, Celine, are the parents of three children – Clark, Maeve, and Kate.
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