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University of South Alabama

Mobile, AL 36688
Division 1 Alabama Southeast
Public Medium Competitive team
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Chris Hennessey

The University of South Alabama named Chris Hennessey as the sixth women's soccer head coach in program history on December 15, 2023.


Hennessey comes to Mobile after spending the last nine seasons as the head coach at Lee University, where he posted a 130-31-21 record and eight NCAA Division II Tournament appearances.


During the 2023 season, Hennessey led the Lady Flames to a 16-1-4 record, en route to their third Gulf South Conference Championship and a bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament, where they suffered their lone loss of the season.


Hennessey is responsible for the development of Lady Flames defender Kate Dirkse, who was named a 2023 United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-American and a First Team Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2 CCA) All-American, the second straight year the defender has earned the CCA honor. Dirske was also named GSC Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-GSC.


During his nine-year stint leading the Lady Flames, Hennessey and his squad made two NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearances – 2016 and 2018 – and one Final Four appearance in 2018. Hennessey has also led the Lady Flames to three Gulf South Conference Tournament titles and four Gulf South regular season titles.


Hennessey, a native of Manchester, England, was named the Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year in 2021, following a 19-0-1 record. The Lee women's soccer staff also earned the United Soccer Coaches South Region Staff of the Year honor the same season.


Prior to his head coaching position, Hennessey was an assistant for the Lady Flames program from 2013-15. During that stint, Hennessey also served as the assistant director of the Chattanooga Futbol Club. From 2009-13, he was the executive director of the Central Maine United Soccer Club.


A 2009 graduate of Lee University, Hennessey was a defender for the Lee men's soccer team from 2006-09. He met his wife, Jenae, while attending Lee. The couple are parents to two daughters, Emory Blake and Sutton Elizabeth, and one son, Brewer.


What They Are Saying About Chris Hennessey:


"Having coached against Chris in the past, his teams are always well prepared and organized while getting the most out of his group. Chris has a proven ability to build and sustain an elite program at the Division II level, and I have no doubts that will continue at South Alabama. This is a great hire!"


-Jeff Hosler, Head Coach Michigan State Women's Soccer


"Chris is a fantastic coach, who has certainly earned an opportunity such as this. We always enjoyed competing against his Lee teams in the spring when I was at Tennessee. Chris is hungry. Chris cares about his players. And Chris knows how to win. I look forward to following his future success at South Alabama."


-Brian Pensky, Head Women's Soccer Coach at Florida State University


"I've known Chris for a long time and I have a ton of respect for him as a coach. As good a coach as he is, he's an even better person. He is going to do great things at South Alabama, and the future is very bright for that program with him in place as head coach."


-Todd Yelton, Head Women's Soccer Coach at Samford University


"Chris is a fantastic hire. He is a D2 guy like myself who has worked tirelessly to build and establish his former program as a national powerhouse. There is no doubt that Chris will continue the success that these young ladies have had at South Alabama. The program is in great hands."


-Richard Moodie, Head Women's Soccer Coach at Purdue University and former South Alabama Head Coach

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Luidgi Beauzile

Luidgi Beauzile enters his first season with the women's soccer program, where he will serve as the Associate Head Coach.


Beauzile comes to Mobile after spending the last nine seasons at Lee University alongside Coach Hennessey as an assistant coach, with his final two seasons serving as the associate head coach.


During his time at Lee, Beauzile was a part of the 2021 undefeated season and helped coach the Lady Flames to a ranking as high as No. 2 nationally. He also helped coach Lee to eight NCAA Division II Tournament appearances, two NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearances – 2016 and 2018 – and one Final Four appearance in 2018. Beauzile was also a part of three Gulf South Conference Tournament titles and four Gulf South regular season titles.


Beauzile, a graduate of Lee University, was named First Team All-Southern States Athletic Conference in 2009 and was placed on the Second Team in 2006 and 2008. In 2008, he was named the SSAC Tournament MVP. In three seasons as a goalkeeper, Luidgi tallied a 33-23-5 record with 17 shutouts and 224 saves. He played 5487 minutes and gave up 68 goals for a 1.12 GAA.


Beauzile also played professional soccer in Haiti for Racing Club Haitien, and represented Haiti on the national team at U15, U17 and U20, and made his full national team debut at 19-years-old and had 15 career caps.


A native of Petion-Ville, Haiti, Beauzile is married to Seantae and has a daughter Sayanne and a son Loic.

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Kate Dirkse

Kate Dirkse enters her first season as an assistant coach for the Jaguar soccer program.


Dirske comes to Mobile after playing four-and-a-half seasons at Lee University under Coach Hennessey.


Dirkse is a two-time All-American, two-time Academic All-American and recipient of the Conference Defensive Player of the Year award in her final season and demonstrated exceptional talent and leadership on the field.


Serving as team captain for three seasons, Dirkse showcased her ability to inspire and lead, laying the groundwork for a successful transition into coaching.


Now, as an assistant coach, Dirkse leverages her extensive experience and expertise to mentor the next generation of athletes, shaping them into not only formidable competitors but also well-rounded individuals poised for success both on and off the field.

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Ellie Russell

Graduate Assistant Coach

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