End-of-2024 Interview: Pepe Fernandez on Becoming NCAA D3 All-Time Wins Leader & More • #89

Knox Soccer Podcast

In our final interview of 2024, Brian spoke with two-time KSP veteran Pepe Fernandez, head coach of the Maryville College men’s and women’s soccer teams, who recently broke the record for most wins (847) in NCAA D3 soccer history.

That’s right, one of our very own is now in the national college soccer record books!

Fernandez, a Franklin native and former Tennessee Wesleyan player, is a seven-time conference Coach of the Year (most recently in 2023). Since we last spoke in 2022, he led the Maryville College women’s program to consecutive Conference of the South Tournament championships.

Besides discussing another historic season, Fernandez talks about the evolution of college soccer, his philosophy of the beautiful game, recruiting locally and internationally, and raising up another generation of coaches. He also participates in a lightning round, shedding light on his favorite warm-up drill, the funniest sideline moment, proposed rule changes, the standout moment of 2024, and more!

Listen to our earlier episodes with Pepe Fernandez in 2022 and while he was at the World Cup in Qatar.

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Markman’s is a proud sponsor of the Knox Soccer Podcast and One Knoxville SC. Located at 6932 Kingston Pike, Markman’s has been Knoxville’s choice for diamonds and fine jewelry since 1976. Visit markmansdiamonds.com.

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