Mid-America Christian Athletics is proud to announce that Neil Hilton will be taking the reins of the MACU men's soccer program after being announced as the program's next head coach on Wednesday.
"I am excited for the chance to lead this program and further the development of our amazing student-athletes," stated Hilton. "I am very thankful and blessed for this opportunity."
Hilton is being elevated to the position after serving as an assistant coach at MACU over the past two seasons under previous head coach Danny Frid.
"Neil rose to the top of an extremely high quality candidate pool," said MACU Athletic Director Marcus Moeller. "We feel strongly that Neil's commitment to the Lord and to excellence in all areas of his life will be a terrific next step for our men's soccer program. I could not be more excited to add him to our full-time staff and look forward to working alongside him for years to come."
Over the past two years, the Evangels have become one of the elite programs in the NAIA, amassing an astonishing 38-3-3 overall record, including an unblemished 15-0-3 record in Sooner Athletic Conference play to win both the league's regular season and tournament titles in 2021 and 2022.
Last season, MACU wrapped up the year with a 19-2-2 record and achieved many firsts, including reaching the No. 1 ranking in the NAIA Top 25 Coaches' Poll for the first time in program history and just the second team in the SAC to ever reach the top spot. The Evangels also won their third straight SAC Tournament title after putting together a dominant 3-0 victory over Science & Arts on their home turf on Nov. 11.
The Evangels hosted their first NAIA Tournament First and Second Round at the Mike and Helen Dill Soccer Field from Nov. 17-19 as well as earned their first ever No. 1 overall seed at the NAIA Tournament's final site while competing in the quarterfinal round for the first time ever in Decatur, Alabama on Dec. 1. MACU earned the top-seed distinction after defeating Oklahoma Wesleyan 2-0 in the second round match. In the victory, MACU's all-time leading scorer Rodrigo Albuquerque netted the game-winning goal in the 80th minute before Francois Geris-Rey scored a pivotal insurance goal in the 87th minute.
In his first year with the program in 2021, Mid-America Christian put together their first ever undefeated run through the regular season as the Evangels amassed a 16-0-1 record before starting a strong SAC Tournament run. MACU outscored its opponents 10-0 in the SAC tourney as the program claimed its third tournament title after defeating Southwestern Christian 2-0 in the title tilt on Nov. 11. The Evangels concluded the year with its winningest season in program history with a 19-1-1 (.929) overall mark.
Before coming to MACU, Hilton served as the varsity boys' soccer coach at Yukon High School. In his last season with the Millers in 2022, Hilton led the team to an 8-4 record and was named the Oklahoma 6A Boys Soccer Coach of the Year. Hilton has led the Yukon soccer program since the 2013-2014 season.
Hilton brings some strong familiarity with competing and competing at the NAIA and Sooner Athletic Conference level to MACU after playing for then SAC member Oklahoma Christian from 2008-2011. After graduating from OC in 2012, Hilton served as an assistant coach for the women's soccer program at his alma mater from 2012-14 before moving over to serve as an assistant for the men's program from 2015-19.
As a player with the Eagles, Hilton was one of the best in program's history. A four-year starter at Oklahoma Christian, Hilton earned All-SAC First Team honors in 2011 and Second Team acclaim in 2010. Competing in 68 games, Hilton finished his OC career with 20 goals and 25 assists while attempting 184 shots from the midfield position. During his senior campaign, Hilton tied the program's single-season assist record after recording 11 dimes.
Hilton earned his Bachelor's Degree in Sports Management in 2012 and Master's Degree in Business Administration in 2014 from Oklahoma Christian University as well as a Master's in Special Education from Southern Nazarene University in 2021. Hilton holds a US Soccer Class D and Class C Coaching License as well as a USC Soccer National Diploma.
