After spending the last two years coaching in Sweden, Ole Miss soccer alumna Jessica Hiskey will return to Oxford as an assistant coach. Hiskey will travel across the Atlantic to come back to her alma mater before the spring season and work alongside head coach Matt Mott in pursuit of a national title in the 2018 season.
“My staff and I spent much time scouring the country and looking for the best fit for the program,” Mott said. “Jess certainly proved during the interview process to be just that. We look forward to having her on campus soon to start with the team as we begin our spring season.”
Jessica Hiskey hugs a team member after scoring a goal against Memphis during the 2014 season. File Photo: Thomas Graning
Hiskey, who started all four years of her Ole Miss career, was of strength to the Rebels from the minute she arrived in Oxford. As a freshman defender, she started all 22 matches and completed her career in 2015 after 55 consecutive starts. Hiskey was the first defender since the 2011 campaign to be named All-SEC for the Rebels and led the team in minutes with more than 7,000 during her career.
“I want to thank Lynnette Johnson and the rest of the coaching staff for this tremendous opportunity to return to Oxford and Rebel Nation,” Hiskey said. “My time there as a student-athlete was an incredible experience, and it is a dream come true to be able to come back and continue to grow this program with such a hardworking group of individuals.”
During her short stint in Sweden, Hiskey helped the Skövde KIK to achieve third place, which is the club’s highest team finish, and coached a defense that had the least number of goals scored against it in the league.
Prior to her time on the professional level, Hiskey spent the spring of 2016 as a coach for the Oxford Soccer Club, working with the youth soccer players and playing a role in redesigning the program.
“I am eager to get started working with Matt and the rest of the staff in preparing the girls for a successful fall season,” Hiskey said.
Last season, Ole Miss soccer ranked as one of the highest-scoring offenses in the country and was offered a bid to the NCAA Tournament. With a strong offense returning and Hiskey coming in to improve the defense, the team looks to have a prosperous 2018 season.
The Rebels will have time to adjust to Hiskey’s defensive system and all that she has to offer before the season opener in August. Hiskey will bring her innovative coaching style and recent achievements to the table, helping to prepare the Rebels for the season ahead.
