Jason Burr, a former assistant coach for the Illinois State women’s soccer program, joined Arkansas State University in a similar capacity with first-year chief Derek Pittman March 1, 2007.
"I am extremely excited to become part of the Arkansas State University family,” said Burr. “ASU is the type of place that just feels like home. Before I was hired, I had the opportunity to speak with several people around the university and everybody seemed very energized by the things that are happening here at ASU and in the city of Jonesboro."
Burr, who has received a United States Soccer Federation “C” License, brings a wealth of experience to the ASU program as he helped Illinois State advance 11 straight years to the Missouri Valley Conference postseason tournament. In addition, eight players that Burr worked with earned All-Conference honors.
“I am very excited and thankful to have the opportunity to add someone like Jason to our soccer staff,” said Pittman who joined the staff in January. “He is a great coach with a ton of experience teaching the game of soccer at a high level.
“He is an awesome recruiter and will handle a number of responsibilities in that area for our program. I have been fortunate enough to know Jason for about six years, and there is no doubt he will help our soccer program take a giant step in building a winning tradition here at A-State.”
While at Illinois State, Burr assisted in general team management, recruiting, management of the budget, and community outreach in addition to his on the field duties.
Aside from his responsibilities with ISU, Burr also worked as an assistant director of coaching for the Central Illinois Select Soccer Club in Bloomington, Ill., where he oversaw the boys soccer club with age groups from 8-16.
Burr began his career in 2001 as an assistant for the Western Kentucky University men’s program. While there, the Hilltoppers earned Academic All-America Team honors as well as National Soccer Coaches Association of America “College Team Academic Award.”
Following his stint at WKU, he served as the Head Soccer Coach for the Cincinnati United Premier Red (1989 Girls) team in Cincinnati, Ohio, for two years. He took his squad to the State Cup Quarterfinals of the Ohio South Youth Soccer Association in 2005 and 2006. He also worked as a staff coach for the Ohio South Olympic Development Program in Cincinnati during that span as the head coach for the Boys State Team and an assistant for the Girls State Team.
Burr spent three seasons as the women’s and men’s head coach at Thomas More College in Kentucky where he led the women’s team to a 42-9-6 record during that time. In 2005, his squad advanced to the President’s Athletic Conference Championship. The team also advanced to the NCAA Division III Women’s National Tournament for the first in the program’s history.
He also coached one NSCAA Academic All-Region performer, six All-PAC players and four All-Independent performers.
"I have known Derek for a number of years and when this opportunity became available, I knew I couldn't pass it up,” continued Burr. “There will be a good mix between the two of us because we see the game and players similarly, yet we have different backgrounds which I think will be a great balance for our coaching staff.
“I am looking forward to working with the players because they are very determined to continue to get better everyday and want to improve by learning all that they can about the game. Everybody associated with this program and athletic department wants to do all they can to create a winning tradition in soccer here at ASU. I am pleased to be a part of helping to build that tradition."
Burr received his Bachelor of Science degree in history from Austin Peay State in 2001 and is close to completing his Master of Arts degree in communications from Western Kentucky.
