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Dean Short

Assistant Coach

College: Liberty ('02)
Start Date: Mar 2004
Email: dedshort@liberty.edu

Dean Short has become a fixture not only with the Flames men's soccer program and Liberty University, but in Big South soccer circles as well. The assistant coach enters his ninth year as an assistant coach with the program in 2012.

The former Flames standout assists in all aspects of the program, including recruiting, scouting, practice instruction, goalkeeper coaching and game strategy. With his assistance, the Flames have been able to reached new heights both on and off the field.

Last season, Short assisted head coach Jeff Alder in guiding Liberty to its second Big South title in four years. The Flames posted an 11-6-3 overall record, their fifth consecutive 10-plus win season, defeating a pair of nationally-ranked teams, Virginia and Coastal Carolina in the process.

A goalkeeper during his playing days, Short assisted in instructing a defense unit, which lead the Big South Conference in goals allowed (0.95), goals against average (0.91) and shutouts (9). In addition, he helped work with both of Liberty's freshman goalkeepers, Josh Pacella and Scott Sutarik.

Off the field, he helped mentor the Flames academically. The men's soccer team was recognized this past June by the NCAA with a Public Recognition Award. The awards honor teams for their most recent multi-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores, and are given each year to teams with APRs in the top 10 percent of their sport. Also, midfielder Phillip Aseweh was selected a Capital One Academic All-American and NSCAA Scholar Athlete.

In 2010, Short helped guide Liberty to a 10-7-1 record.  The Flames finished the year ranked 21st in the nation in scoring offense by averaging 1.94 goals per game and led the Big South Conference in goals allowed, with a 0.93 goals against average.

With Short's assistance in 2009, the Flames recorded a 12-5-3 mark and reached the finals of the Big South Championship. Liberty finished the year ranked among the nation's elite on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.  The Flames finished the year ranked fifth in the country in scoring offense, with a 2.15 goals per game average, and were seventh nationally in team goals against average, with a 0.53 GAA.

Short helped the Liberty defense set new standards, tying the school record with 12 shutouts. He mentored former Flames goalkeeper and current assistant coach Andrew Madero, who earned all-conference honors, while posting the lowest single-season goals-against average (0.52) in program history. Madero also tied Short's top season with 10 shutouts, the second-most in a season by a Liberty goalkeeper.

In 2008, Short served as a mentor to and helped guide a young squad to a 10-5-3 overall mark. The group finished the year on the third-longest unbeaten streak in program history of eight games.

Short helped pilot the Flames to their first Big South Championship in 2007.  The former goalkeeper's work with freshman Paul Gilbert paid dividends, as the first-year keeper went on to post eight shutouts and a 1.08 goals-against-average in earning Big South Freshman of the Year honors.

"Dean has been a great mentor for the players spiritually and has done a good job in the development of our goalkeepers and field players," states head coach Jeff Alder.  "He is a huge asset to our program."

Short was a four-year starter in goal for the Flames, completing his career with a 35-22-4 record.  He also posted a 1.12 goals-against-average and recorded 19 shutouts during his time at Liberty.  Both marks rank third all-time in program history.

Short earned Big South all-conference first-team honors three straight seasons (1999-2001), one of only three Flames in program history to do so. In addition, he was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-South Atlantic Region team in 1999 and 2000. 

In the summer of 2005, Short earned a NSCAA National Coaching Diploma. Recently, he earned his USSF "C" Coaching License. He assists with several camps each summer.

Before coming to Liberty, Short spent the fall of 2002 as an assistant coach at Haverling Central High School in Bath, N.Y.   In 2003, he played for the Charlotte Eagles in the A-League.

Short graduated from Liberty with a degree in elementary education in 2002. Short, his wife Kristie, and son Levi (2) and daughter Eden (8 months) reside in Lynchburg.