Menlo College Athletics is proud to announce hiring Matthew Kemp as the new Head Coach for Women's Soccer as of July 2025. With a diverse and decorated coaching background across NCAA, NJCAA, and international soccer, Kemp brings a powerful blend of tactical expertise, dynamic recruiting experience, and a lifelong passion for the game that will shape the future of Oaks Women's Soccer.
Kemp's experience recruiting at small, academically rigorous private colleges aligns perfectly with Menlo's mission and the type of student-athletes who excel at Menlo — well-rounded, driven, and globally minded. He joins Menlo after most recently serving as Assistant Men's Soccer Coach at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, where he helped guide the program to a 16-4-3 record, SCIAC Tournament Championship, NCAA West Region title, and a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2024. Before CMS, he led Men's and Women's Soccer at Heartland Community College, where he guided the women's team to a Region 24 Championship and an NJCAA National Tournament berth, while earning 2023 Region 24 Women's Soccer Coach of the Year honors. His programs were also consistently strong academically, boasting a team GPA 3.5 and producing three All-Americans.
Earlier in his career, Kemp served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Illinois Wesleyan University, a private NCAA Division III institution. His recruiting efforts were instrumental in helping the program win its first conference tournament title in school history.Â
A former player at California State University, Monterey Bay, and in England with the Nottingham Forest F.C. Development Academy, Kemp holds a bachelor's degree in Human Communication and a master's in Kinesiology and Recreation with a concentration in Sport Management. His coaching credentials include UEFA B, USSF, and United Soccer Coaches certifications.
Kemp's international playing and coaching experience has built a vast network that allows him to connect with talented student-athletes worldwide. These connections reflect Menlo's increasingly global and diverse women's soccer roster and support the College's commitment to providing a transformational, multicultural experience.
"Matthew embodies exactly what we look for in a head coach: a tireless worker, an entrepreneurial spirit, and an unyielding love for soccer and the craft of coaching," said Menlo College Vice President for Athletics Keith Spataro. "During the search process, our coaches and staff were immediately drawn to his energy, forward-thinking approach, and commitment to holistic student-athlete development. He also possesses a clear vision for a successful future for our program. We're confident he will create an environment in which our women's soccer student-athletes can thrive."
Reflecting on his new role, Kemp shared, "I am deeply honored and excited to join the Menlo College family. From the first conversations, I could feel the passion, support, and ambition that define this community. I believe in empowering student-athletes to become their best selves on and off the field, and I look forward to working with a group that is already driven, diverse, and ready to grow together. Our shared vision is to build on the strong foundation already in place and continue pushing the program forward in a way that reflects the heart and spirit – and potential – of Menlo College."
