DAHLONEGA — University of North Georgia men's soccer head coach Dr. Patrice Parris has announced his resignation to accept a new role in the public education sector in Forsyth County.
Throughout his 16 years at the helm of the men's soccer program, Parris led North Georgia to new heights having achieved a national top 25 ranking for the first time in program history this fall.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to have impacted so many lives through the UNG soccer program and campus community over the last 16 years," stated Parris. "I will miss all of the relationships with the first-class coaching staff and administration and look forward to watching North Georgia continue to reach new heights and standards at the NCAA level."
Parris has led North Georgia to season marks at or above .500 six times and earned a stretch of nine consecutive Peach Belt Conference Tournament appearances.
In 2017, the Nighthawks went deeper than ever before in the PBC Tournament, reaching the championship game and sending it deep into penalty kicks against one of the nation's top-25 teams. In 2016, the Nighthawks finished as runners-up in the Peach Belt Conference regular season standings, the program's highest finish ever.
"I am proud of past and present student-athletes for their accomplishments and their collective abilities to be difference-makers to those in their lives during and after their times at UNG."
Parris graduated from Georgia Southern in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in sport management and received his Master's in sports management from Georgia Southern in 2007. He also completed his Doctorate in Leadership from Valdosta State in 2019. Parris holds an NSCAA Premier Diploma.
"I am beyond grateful for the dedication, devotion and commitment to our university, department, program and the many student-athletes who have come through the program," stated Director of Athletics Mary Rob Plunkett. "Without a doubt, Pat has left North Georgia and North Georgia men's soccer in a better place."
A search will begin immediately for his successor.
