SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate has selected two-time PSAC champion and NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight qualifier Sam Odell as the fifth head coach of its Division I era of women's soccer.

Director of Athletics and Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Matt Martin said the hire aligns perfectly with the department's vision. "We are thrilled to have Coach Sam Odell and his family join us at USC Upstate to maintain and continue to build the strong foundation of Spartan Soccer. He has a winning pedigree and believes in the holistic student-athlete experience, which will fit in perfectly with our department."

Odell arrives in Spartanburg after five highly successful years at Shepherd University. His tenure produced one of the most dramatic program turnarounds in Division I and Division II levels. Shepherd opened the 2021 season 1-15-2 and finished last in the PSAC East. Under Odell's leadership, the Rams rose to an 18-2-4 record, with a 13-1-2 mark in conference play, captured the top seed in the Atlantic Region and spent multiple weeks nationally ranked in the top ten. The 2024 season culminated in both the regular season and postseason PSAC championships, the first titles in Shepherd Athletics history.

"I am beyond excited to get the new era of USC Upstate Women's Soccer underway in Spartanburg. I want to thank Chancellor Harris, Matt Martin, Sarah Gildersleeve-Jones and many others for the opportunity. I also want to thank Shepherd University for an incredible five years," said Sam Odell.

In 2025, as reigning PSAC Champions, the Rams repeated their 2024 success and won the PSAC Championship for the second time in school history. They were ranked as high as fifth in the nation. The Rams, under Odell, did not lose a conference away game since October 2023.

Under his guidance, the program excelled academically with nearly three dozen academic all-conference honorees and multiple academic All-Americans. Odell is widely regarded in coaching circles as a true talent developer. He built sustained success while operating within budgets.

A native of Walton-on-Thames, England, Odell starred collegiately at Caldwell College where he was a four-year member of the men's soccer team and earned All-Conference honors as a midfielder. He twice earned selections to the CACC All-Tournament Team. Before his collegiate career, Odell played in Portsmouth Football Club's FA-accredited Academy from age 11 to 18. During that time, he competed against top academies across the U.K., including Arsenal and Chelsea, and played alongside future England internationals such as Raheem Sterling and Luke Shaw.

Odell holds a USSF C License and an Advanced National Diploma from United Soccer Coaches. He earned his bachelor's degree in sport management from Caldwell University and later completed his MBA at Shepherd University.

Senior Associate A.D. for Student-Athlete Enrichment and Senior Woman Administrator Sarah Gildersleeve-Jones said Odell distinguished himself in every step of the process. "During the interview process, it was clear that Coach Sam Odell is the right person for our soccer program. He has developed talent and won the right way on and off the pitch. We are excited to have him in the green and white."

"It became immediately evident when I set foot on campus that our visions for the program's trajectory are aligned," Coach Odell added. "I was blown away by the facilities and the platform for sustained success. I cannot wait to work toward winning more trophies in South Carolina by bringing our attacking, free-flowing, possession-based style of soccer to the Big South."

USC Upstate Women's Soccer is positioned to continue its championship trajectory. The Spartans have appeared in three Big South Championships, captured the 2024 conference title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Upstate has also recorded three straight seasons with ten or more wins, a first in its Division I history.

The national search for USC Upstate's next women's soccer head coach was assisted by KC Smurthwaite and the Athletics Admin team.

"All hires by the University of South Carolina Upstate athletic department are subject to an approved background check."