High Point University women's soccer head coach Brandi Fontaine announced in Apr. 2018 the addition of Chris Fox to the team's coaching staff as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. Fox joined High Point after a successful run in the club circuit for the previous 10 years, helping the Panthers to their 20th straight postseason appearance in his first season with the club.
Fox enters his fourth season on the staff of Fontaine. This is Fox’s first season as the associate head coach of HPU.
Fontaine on Fox’s promotion: "Anyone who has been fortunate enough to work with Chris will not find this promotion to associate head coach surprising," Coach Fontaine said. "Chris has a relentless work ethic and desire to become the best in all facets required to running a program. Between his experience in business and coaching, he has helped to take our program to new heights both on and off the field. His ability to recruit and open up the door to international players has far exceeded my expectations. His passion and desire to help the players understand the game at a higher level through the creation and implementation of our game model is beyond measure. His investment into connecting to our players and helping them become the best version of themselves is unmatched. His knowledge of the game and growth mindset toward learning is what truly separates him from so many other coaches in the game. There is no doubt that our program would not be where it is today without him. We are thankful to have him as a part of our program."
Fox joined the High Point staff in April of 2018 and is entering his third season with the Panthers. In Fox's second year as an assistant, the Panthers went undefeated in Big South play and earned a Big South regular-season title. Last season the Panthers saw their best defensive performance since 2015 as they only allowed 19 goals in 19 games in 2019. In Fox's second season the Panthers also saw their best offensive output since 2016 as the HPU scored 29 goals.
Since the addition of Fox to the staff, The Panthers have changed to a possession based team who play attacking soccer with intent, flair and purpose. During the 2019 season, The Purple and White averaged 602 passes per game with an average completion rate of over 80%. This change in style saw the Panthers average over 62% possession throughout the 2019 season creating an average of 5 big chances per game
With Fox newly named Associate Head Coach in the spring season of 2021 HPU experienced its most nationally prominent season in program history last spring. HPU was ranked as high as 24th in both the Top-Drawer Soccer and College Soccer News media polls as well as receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll. The Panthers were ranked as high as number eight in the United Soccer Coaches Southeast Region ranking. Fox helped HPU to its second consecutive Big South Regular Season title.
The spring of 2021 was a big season for players Fox helped bring to HPU. Sam Gerhart was named Big South Player of the year as well as a Top Drawer National Team of the Week member twice. Seven HPU players earned Big South honors. In the Spring of 2021 five of Fontaine’s Panthers earned United Soccer Coaches All Region honors in Sam Gerhart, Chloe Le Franc, Salomé Prat, Morgan Hairston, and Juliette Vidal. Two Panthers were named United Soccer Coaches All-Americans in Chloe Le Franc and Juliette Vidal.
What Fox’s colleagues are saying:
"Congratulations to Coach Fox on his promotion at HPU." Gino Diflorio said. "This comes as no surprise as Chris left HMMS Eagle FC with a track record of developing players and a strong player following. Chris found lots of success on both the boys' and girls' sides. His 1999 girls' team was one of the most successful sides in club history with over 20 players going on to play collegiately. The 99's won prestigious events such as the Region 1 Premier League, Jefferson Cup, and the Disney Showcase and climbed as high as #2 in the national rankings. His 2003 boys won both the state cup and regionals before representing both the club and Region 1 at nationals. A constant student of the game, Chris continues to educate himself and has developed into one of the bright young minds in soccer today and I couldn't be prouder."
"The impact Chris has had on the players in Central Pennsylvania and now at High Point University is evident in the teams and players he has developed, Executive Director of Keystone FC Sean Cochran said. "Chris' understanding of the technical and tactical aspects of the game makes him one of the sharpest young soccer minds in the country. Not only does Chris have a deep understanding of the game, but he cares deeply about the players' personal development. For Chris, the personal development of the player is just as important as their development as a soccer player. He does a phenomenal job motivating and inspiring players to achieve levels that they may not have previously thought possible. I don't have any doubts that Chris will continue to do great things at High Point University and help continue their development into a women's college soccer power.
"I've had the privilege of knowing Chris Fox for almost 10-years", said Dir. of Soccer Development & Performance for Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Gary Stephenson. "I was the course instructor when Chris took his USSF 'D' license in 2012. I have also coached against Chris at the club level. It has been a treat to see Chris' growth as a coach. Chris led a pair of highly successful youth club teams on both the boys' and girls' sides and represented Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer (EPYS) at the USYS National Championships in 2017. While Pennsylvania has lost a top youth club coach, High Point University has gained an exceptional, motivated young coach."
Fox spent two seasons prior to joining HPU as an assistant coach for the women's soccer team at Division III York College (Pa.) where he helped create, develop and run all practice sessions and pre-season training. He also was responsible for team philosophies, expectations, systems of play and game-day tactics in addition to having a hand in recruiting for the Spartans.
Since 2009, Fox has been a coach for the HMMS Youth Soccer Club in Mechanicsburg, Pa, most recently leading the U19 Eagle FC '99 Villa girls squad that ranked as high as third in the nation. The team competed at nationally-ranked showcase events, including winning titles at prestigious events such as: Disney, Jefferson Cup and Region 1 Champions League. He also led the U14 Eagle FC '03 Ajax boys team to Nationals in 2017 where they finished third.
Fox also founded, owns and operates Fox Soccer Academy, LLC to work in conjunction with club soccer programs to provide exceptional skill training and leadership development. Fox has grown participation to over 500 players in eight years and has worked with over 1,000 players ranging from ages 4-18. He has also spent three seasons as the head girls soccer coach at Central Dauphin High School from 2012-14 and was an academy coach with the Harrisburg City Islanders from 2010-2013.
Fox, a native of Stone, Staffordshire, England, graduated with a bachelor of arts in Marketing from Messiah College. He owns a National 'C' License from the United States Soccer Foundation and has a regional youth diploma and goalkeeping diploma from United Soccer Coaches.
