George Kiefer

George Kiefer (born October 11, 1971) is a former college and professional soccer player and current college soccer coach, now leading the South Florida Bulls men's soccer team in his second tenure after being named head coach in 2025. Previously, Kiefer was the head coach at Grand Canyon. Before his rehiring, Kiefer spent 15 seasons at head coach head coach for South Florida. He was also the head coach for NC State for seven seasons. As a head coach, Kiefer has led his teams to 13 NCAA tournaments.

Playing career Kiefer played four years of college soccer under coach Ray Reid at Southern Connecticut from 1990 to 1993.

He appeared in 48 career games, scoring eight goals and assisting on 12 more for 28 points.

While a member of the Owls program, Kiefer's teams went 74–8–8 (.867) and claimed two NCAA Division II national championships.

Kiefer played professionally for the Connecticut Wolves in 1994 and 1995.

Coaching career Kiefer began his coaching career as an assistant coach at his alma mater Southern Connecticut for two seasons before following Ray Reid to UConn. In seven seasons assisting Reid, Kiefer helped lead teams to a 123–26–8 (.809) record. UConn made four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances from 1998 to 2001.

Kiefer earned his first head coaching opportunity at South Florida, beginning a 15-year run leading the Bulls in 2002. Kiefer was the 2005 NSCAA South Region Coach of the Year. He posted a 162–84–47 record as head coach and won five conference championships. His Bulls reached the Elite Eight twice.

Prior to the 2017 season, Kiefer was selected to replace Kelly Findley as the NC State Wolfpack head coach. He led the Wolfpack to NCAA tournament appearances in his first three seasons.

NC State and Kiefer mutually agreed to part ways following the 2023 season.

Kiefer was announced as the head coach at Grand Canyon on Dec. 20, 2023.

Kiefer quickly had Grand Canyon back in the NCAA Tournament in his second season leading the program, winning the 2025 WAC men's soccer tournament. Later that season, Kiefer helped the Lopes advance in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in Division I program history (winning at UCLA in penalty kicks) and win their first NCAA Tournament match (at San Diego).

Head coaching record