Point Loma Nazarene University Athletic Director Ethan Hamilton announced Thursday that Tim Hall, head coach for both the men's and women's soccer teams, will step down as men's coach to concentrate his focus on the women's soccer program.
 
Hall has coached both soccer teams for the last four years. He took over the men's soccer program in 1996, posting a program best 151-109-21 record with nine postseason appearances during his 16-year tenure.  In Hall's four years as head coach of the women's team, the Sea Lions have a 50-18-16 mark with four playoff appearances.
 
“It's been an honor to coach both teams,” said Hall. “What has made it work are the student-athletes I've had. This is bitter-sweet, but the model we are going to is a better, healthier one. In the long run it will benefit both programs.”
 
On two occasions Hall's women's teams have advanced to the NAIA National Championship Tournament: in 2009 the Sea Lions reached the title match and finished as runner-ups and in 2011 the team reached the semifinals.
 
“I am deeply appreciative for Tim's service, specifically these last four years leading both programs,” Hamilton said. “I am confident this reorganization will provide an even better experience for our student-athletes.”
 
In 2009, Hall was named as the San Diego Union-Tribune Coach of the Year and winner of the NAIA Coach of Character for soccer. The PLNU women finished fourth in the Golden State Athletic Conference that season but then got a roll that took them through the conference playoffs and all the way to the championship match.
 
Hall's 2011 women's team notched a program best 19-2-4 overall record and won the GSAC regular season title. He was selected as the GSAC Coach of the Year and five players earned all-conference status, including Erica Wessels who was named as the GSAC Player of the Year. The Sea Lions climbed as high as No. 3 in the national rankings, and claimed three wins in the national championship tournament, good for a third-place finish.
 
“We have set a standard of being successful,” Hall remarked of the recent accomplishments of the PLNU women. “It's going to be tougher, but our goal will be the same—to qualify for regionals and nationals in NCAA Division II and to win a national title.”

PLNU begins play in the Division II Pacific West Conference in the fall of 2012.

Hall was a four-year starter as a utility player for the Point Loma soccer team from 1980 to 1983. He capped off his collegiate career with a senior season that included NAIA All-District 3 Honors and was voted the team's Most Valuable Player. 
 
In 1996, Hall returned to his alma mater to take over the men's soccer team. He guided the program to 10-plus wins multiple times, a school-best 14 victories in 1998 and 10 shutouts in 2006. The 2011 Sea Lion men ended the year with an 8-8-1 record.
 
“There is a lot of history when you coach a team for 16 years,” Hall said. “It's been one of the joys of my life to be the men's soccer coach here. I wouldn't trade anything for the experience. The beauty for me is that I am still going to be here. I am going to be their biggest fan.”
 
Point Loma Nazarene University will immediately begin a nationwide search for men's soccer head coach. Interested parties should click http://employment.pointloma.edu/postings/3337 or contact Associate Athletic Director Russ Blunck for more information.