ELON, N.C. – Elon University head men’s soccer coach Chris Little announced the addition of Tennant McVea as a new assistant to the program’s coaching staff on Monday, Feb. 29.
McVea arrives from Old Dominion University where he spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach. During his time with the Monarchs, McVea helped the program reach the second round NCAA Tournament in two of the past three seasons while also seeing multiple players achieve all-conference honors.
“We’re delighted to have Tennant join us in the program,” said Little. “He’s coming from a really good program in Old Dominion and has worked for a fantastic and experienced head coach in Alan Dawson so we’re really excited to have him join our staff. He has a great recruiting background, has some really good ideas in the game and a great personality that will be a really good compliment and strength to our staff.”
Prior to ODU, McVea served as the club coach for the U15 and U17 teams at Beach FC. In 2011, McVea served as assistant coach with the Northern Ireland Schools Football Association in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He also coached the U15 and U17 squads for the FC Fredericksburg Gunners in 2008-09.
McVea played collegiately at Loyola University Maryland, where he was a 2008 NSCAA First Team All-American and a three-time NSCAA Regional All-American. In 2009, he was a finalist for the Lowe’s Senior Class Award. He also played professionally serving as the captain for the Norfolk Sharx of the MISL in 2012. In 2010-11, he served as club captain for FC Lahti, a professional team in Finland.
“Very happy for the opportunity to come and work here at Elon University,” said McVea. “I’d like to thank the administration especially (Elon senior associate director of athletics) Kyle Wills and Chris Little for the opportunity to come here and be a part of this staff. The success of this program over the last few years has been unbelievable and I hope to continue that success by brining my skill set to the program.”
McVea graduated from Loyola with a degree in advertising and public relations and a minor in general business in 2009.