Chris Ayer, the winningest coach in Lander University women’s soccer history, completed his 20th season leading the Bearcats in 2025. Since taking over the program in 2006 as its first full-time head coach, Ayer has built Lander into a consistent regional contender and one of the most  competitive programs in the Peach Belt Conference. Ayer enters 2026 with a career coaching record of 201-165-42 (.544), including a 178-121-38 (.585) mark at Lander. Under his leadership, the Bearcats have appeared in 17 Peach Belt Conference Tournaments and three NCAA  Tournaments (2018, 2024, 2025).  

Recent Program Success 
The 2025 season was the most successful in Lander history. Ayer guided the Bearcats to: 

• A program-record 14 wins 
• A historic run to the NCAA Southeast Region Championship, hosting the match for the first time 
• NCAA Tournament wins over Francis Marion (First Round) and No. 1 seed Catawba (Second Round)
• An 8–1–1 Peach Belt Conference record, finishing second in the league  

During the postseason, Ayer also earned his 200th career coaching win, defeating Francis Marion in the NCAA First Round.
The 2024 season was also historic, as Lander won its first-ever NCAA Tournament match, defeating Lenoir-Rhyne 3–2 in double overtime.

Player Development 
Ayer has coached: 
• 14 NSCAA/United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region players, including Leah Hayes Coen, Kylie Wilson, and Peyton Bibbee (2025)
• NSCAA All-American Jamie Shaw (2012) 
His teams regularly produce All-Conference selections and have established a standard of technical excellence, defensive organization, and competitive consistency. 

National Coaching Experience 
In addition to his collegiate success, Ayer has an extensive résumé in elite youth development: 

• Head Coach, ODP National Team 2010, leading the team to three wins in Costa Rica in April 2025 
• Long-standing member of the ODP Region III/South Region staff (since 2010) 
• Holder of the USSF “A” License and NSCAA Premier Diploma 

Coaching Background & Education 
Before joining Lander, Ayer served at Coker University, where he was: 

• Head Women’s Soccer Coach (2002–2006) 
• Head Men’s Soccer Coach (2003–2006) 

He is a native of Columbia, South Carolina, and holds: 

• A Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Lipscomb University 
• A Master’s degree in Instructional Leadership earned while serving as an assistant coach for both Lipscomb men’s and women’s programs