Kevin Varnado - Men's Soccer Head Coach

Kevin Varnado begins his first season as head men’s soccer coach, and fifth year overall, at Francis Marion University. He succeeded long-time head coach Murray Hartzler, who retired last winter to concentrate on his duties as director of athletics.

Varnado joined the FMU staff in 2002 as an assistant coach and as the university’s equipment manager. His primary coaching responsibilities included recruiting, on-field coaching, individual player workouts, pre- and post-season workouts, and helping in the area of academic support for team members. During his four years as assistant coach, FMU posted a 40-36-2 record.

Varnado came to Francis Marion from St. Andrews Presbyterian College where he served as assistant men’s coach during the 2001 season. He earned a B.S. degree in exercise science from St. Andrews in 2000. He was a three-year letterman on the Knights' soccer team, earning team MVP honors each season and twice being named to the Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference first-team All-Conference Team. He played one season at the University of Central Florida before transferring to St. Andrews.

Following his graduation, he spent one year as assistant athletic trainer at Alabama State University. He has a "B" license from United States Soccer and works with the U-16 (1990) South Carolina ODP program.

Charley Mitchell - Men's Soccer Assistant Coach

Charley Mitchell of Raleigh, N.C., joined the staff in January 2008 and is begining his first year as assistant coach for men’s soccer and as the university’s equipment manager.

His primary coaching responsibilities will include recruiting, on-field coaching, individual player workouts, pre- and post-season workouts, and helping in the area of academic support for team members.

Mitchell was a four-year letterman at FMU on the soccer field, and he earned a B.B.A. degree in marketing in 2005. He served as the Patriots’ team captain for the 2004 season, and following that campaign was named the squad’s Most Valuable Player.

He played in both the midfield and defensive back. He was named to the 2004 Peach Belt Conference All-Tournament Team. He tallied one goal and six assists in 72 career matches, and as a freshman was a part-time starter on the 2000 Patriot squad that was ranked No. 1 in the nation for two weeks and advanced to the NCAA Division II national quarterfinals.

Mitchell worked as a marketing intern with WebsterRogers LLP in Florence, was a front of house manager at Redbone Alley Restaurant in the Florence Mall, and later worked with Verizon Wireless in Columbus, Ohio.