New Coach, familiar Face: Stephen Fite named head coach of the women’s soccer team
Ian Johnson, Staff Writer
Photo Courtesy of Robbie Gawrys
On March 18, North Greenville University officially announced Stephen Fite as the next head coach of the women’s soccer team. Fite brings over a decade of coaching experience, most recently serving as the assistant coach for the NGU men’s soccer team.
Fite grew up in Texas playing baseball, soccer and basketball. He excelled in soccer and was a member of the Youth United States National Team. After a successful career at the club level, he continued his career at Oklahoma City University. At OCU, he won Newcomer of the Year in 1998 and earned All-Conference honors three times (1998-2000). Fite played at the semi-professional level over the next five years before getting into coaching.
While he is an experienced coach now, this career was not always the plan for the future.
“I don’t even think I even thought about [coaching] until I got out of school,” said Fite. “My mentor for coaching invited me to be his sidekick and we did that for four or five years.”
Fite continued by explaining that he never thought about coaching until his mentor asked him to help.
“Once I was around the guys and the girls, I fell in love with it and I never really turned back,” said Fite.
Fite began his coaching career at the youth level, where he served as a Staff Coach for Dallas Inter Soccer Club (2001-2004) and FC Dallas Soccer Club (2004-2008). After a decade coaching at the youth level, Fite joined the American Eagles Soccer Club. There, he served as General Manager and Assistant Head Coach for the Women’s team and the U-20 Men’s Team.
Coach Fite joined the NGU program in 2021 as an Assistant Coach for the Men’s Soccer team. During his time with the program, the team reached new heights. In 2025, the men’s team won a record 11 wins and reached the Conference Carolinas Championship. Over his five seasons as assistant coach, the men’s team established a culture of winning and unity.
The players described his coaching style as strict and tough.
Riley Kiniry, sophomore math engineering major, said, “He lit a fire underneath people. He keeps it very straightforward: what he wants out of you. And you work hard towards that.”
Fite described his own coaching style in a similar way, saying, “[My coaching style is] direct, honest, upfront. I’m very honest and upfront with my players.”
Though he is a tough coach, he puts a heavy emphasis on building a culture and getting to know his players.
“I build a relationship individually. That’s super important to me. I don’t just show up to work and not care about the kids. I take pride in building the relationships for long term,” he said.
When asked about his vision for the program, Fite responded confidently, saying, “National tournament, national championship.”
He explained how he has goals for the team both on and off the field. On the field, he wants to win the division and then the conference. Off the field, he wants to build a winning culture that gets the team over the hump.
“I’m excited to get started and have success and have an impact in the girls’ lives,” said Fite.
The players share a similar sentiment to their new coach.
“The success of the men’s program – goes to show that he has the potential to be a good coach for us and bring us to that level, said Valerie Hernandez, junior biology major.
Finley Lloyd, junior business management major, said, “I would say [to Coach Fite], push us to be the best players on the field, but also the best people off the field.”
