After a year leading the Grambling State University women’s soccer program, head coach Craig Roberts announced last week that he is leaving his position.
Roberts, who took over the reins in the soccer program at GSU in March 2021 is taking over the same position with Southern Illinois University women’s soccer program.
Grambling State Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Trayvean Scott thanked Roberts for what has been a remarkable job.
“Coach Roberts did a remarkable job in leading our program over the past two seasons (spring 2021 and fall 2021). We thank him for his service to our athletic department and the university,” Scott said.
Roberts had an immediate impact upon his hire at Grambling, taking the Lady Tigers to the Southwestern Athletics Conference post-season tournament championship match, where his team lost on penalty kicks to Prairie View A&M.
In the 2021 fall season, Robert’s Lady Tigers came in third in the SWAC post-season tournament.
During his initial press conference at Southern Illinois, Roberts said he was up for the challenge at Salukis, as the team is affectionately known.
“We basically have a jigsaw puzzle, and I’m looking forward to putting that puzzle together,” Roberts said.“I think the girls are motivated and excited, they just want direction and that’s something we’ve been through before on several occasions with different programs."
Before taking charge of the Lady Tigers of Grambling, Roberts served in the role of assistant coach for the Puerto Rico women’s national team. Roberts, a native of Kidderminster, England. He also coached the Ball State Cardinals and still holds the record for most wins in the program’s history with 99 victories.
Scott said Grambling has embarked on a nationwide search for a candidate to fill in the vacancy left by Roberts.