Fresh Start for Lynn Women’s Soccer New Head Coach Makes an Impact During His Unpredictable First Few Seasons

By Anniina Sankoh

Staff Writer

Asankoh@email.lynn.edu

John F. Markey Jr. is the new head coach of Lynn Women’s soccer. His first year and a half at the job have not been the easiest, but he has made the best out of it and focuses on personal growth.

With the experience and knowledge of soccer, Markey was looking for a job as a head coach. Out of many candidates, he was hired to be the head coach for Lynn Women’s soccer at the end of 2019. Due to COVID-19, Lynn Athletic’s 2020 spring sports season was shut down. Since then, there has not been a soccer season for Lynn Women’s soccer. Markey has found many ways to deal with the halt in competition.

“It has been challenging. I’ve read more books in the last year than I have in my entire life,” said Markey. “The best piece of advice I got was from a 15-year old girl whom I coached before. [When talking about] Not being able to play and she told me, ‘You know how awesome it is to just work on myself?’ That opened my eyes, and I was like, why didn’t I think of that. From then on, I was just working on myself to be better in everything.”

Markey has abundant experience as a soccer player and as a coach. Before joining the Fighting Knights, Markey had coached at multiple universities such as the University of Central Florida, Rollins College, MidAmerica Nazarene University, and Bethany College. Also, Markey has coached many club soccer teams for both girls and boys.

“Working at UCF was one of the coolest experiences, to get to go play all these other big schools with big crowds,” said Markey.

Markey played collegiate soccer for the University of Montevallo before transferring to the University of Alabama at Birmingham. During his time with the Falcons, he was named in the 2005 Gulf South Conference Tournament team and the First Team All-gulf South Conference in 2006. Markey got experience in the semi-professional and professional league before he decided to start coaching.

“I chose Lynn because it was a good career move; I enjoy being a head coach,” said Markey. “As a young coach, it is important to have the opportunity to be able to win and Lynn is the right place for it.”

Markey holds a USSF National A coaching license and has been coaching regionally and nationally competitive youth teams. He also holds a degree in Communication Management and a minor in Mass Communication from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Markey is looking forward to the next season. He thinks that to be a national champion, you first have to believe that you can do it. Markey is prepared for whenever the next soccer season starts and has big goals for Lynn’s Women soccer team.

“Truthfully, I want to win the national and conference championship,” said Markey.

Above: Lynn Women’s soccer before a game in the 2019 season. Photo/Lynn Fighting Knights.

Above: Markey’s roster picture. Photo/Lynn Fighting Knights.