Josie Rix enters her fourth season now as the associate head coach for head coach Todd Yelton and the Samford University soccer team. In her time as a Bulldog, Rix has helped lead Samford to three-straight Southern Conference championships in 2018, 2019, and the spring of 2021.
Prior to coming to Samford, Rix spent the 2017-18 campaign as an assistant at Auburn University, helping to guide the Tigers to a 2017 NCAA Tournament appearance and a round of 32 finish after an opening round win over Hofstra. The Tigers fell to Stanford in the second round.
The Chattanooga, Tenn., native, served three seasons as an assistant at Wofford College for head coach Amy Kiah from 2015 to 2017. During her time in Spartanburg, S.C., Rix helped coach Hayley Younginer to a Terriers’ single season record 21 goals and 46 points in 2017. Younginer was a two-time All-SoCon selection in 2015 and 2017. Katie Beuerlein also garnered All-SoCon honors following the 2017 campaign.
Rix spent the summer after her graduation from the University of Alabama playing semi-professional soccer for the Knoxville Lady Force. At the conclusion of the season, Rix began her coaching career as a graduate assistant for Matt Yelton at Lee University, where she helped the team to a 15-4-2 overall record, a 10-1-0 Gulf South Conference record in 2014. The Flames went on to win the National Christian Colleges Athletic Association National Championship.
As a player, Rix was a four-year starter from 2009 to 2013 for the University of Alabama, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She helped the Crimson Tide earn an NCAA Tournament bid for just the second time in program history during her sophomore season. Rix was named to the Southeastern Conference Fall Academic Honor Roll in 2011 and to the Southeastern Conference Community Service Team in 2012.
A highly decorated star at Girls Preparatory School of Chattanooga, as a key player on the Bruisers’ varsity soccer team. In 2006, Rix was the leading goal scorer for the Bruisers where she was named to the TSCA all-state team three times. She was also named to the Chattanooga Times Free Press Best of Preps and was a 2005 and 2006 selection to the TSSAA All-Region team.
Rix was a TSSAA Soccer State semi-finalist and a three-time state quarterfinalist. At GPS, Rix was recognized with the Daughters of the American Revolution Community Servant Award, the prestigious GPS Battle Award, and as the McCallie School Autumn Queen. In April of 2019, Rix was inducted into the GPS Athletic Hall of Fame.
She was a member of the state Olympic Development Program (ODP) for six years and a two-time Region III ODP team pool player. In 2007, she led her club team to a state championship and a state runner-up finish in 2008.
Rix holds a USSF E license and an NSCAA National diploma.
