Former Card Advances Coaching Career -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Callie McKinney Departs Bellarmine WSOC

Following one season at the helm of the Bellarmine women's soccer program, former Cardinal Callie McKinney has left Louisville but returned to the ACC. McKinney has accepted an assistant coaching position with the SMU Mustangs, effective immediately. 

Photo via gocards

McKinney, from Franklin, Tennessee, played for Louisville from 2016-2019. After graduating with her bachelor's degree in exercise science at UofL, she received a master's degree in health science at Bellarmine. During that time, she joined the Bellarmine program as a graduate assistant in 2020, and was promoted to permanent assistant coach in 2021. In March of 2024, she was announced as the head coach and made her official collegiate coaching debut at Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium against the Cards. She had previously served as a head coach in the summer of 2023 when she led the Racing Louisville USL W League team. 

Though the Knights didn't have a great season last year, McKinney did lead them to their best conference mark since joining the ASUN in 2020. Bellarmine was 5-12-3 overall, but finished 4-6-1 in conference. The mark was good enough to grant the Knights their first appearance in the ASUN tournament since 2021, and they won their first round game in a shootout over Austin Peay. 

McKinney's move, though technically a demotion in responsibility, is a big step up in coaching prestige. SMU is not a women's soccer power, but the ACC certainly is. To move into an assistant coaching position in the top conference in the sport is definitely an improvement in role. Her move also means that she will return to Lynn Stadium after all this season. The Cards aren't set to play Bellarmine in 2025, but they will host SMU. As she was honored in the opening game of the 2024 season, I would anticipate an acknowledgement of her accomplishment when the Mustangs visit Louisville on Senior Day on October 30th. 

While this move is great for Callie McKinney, it does leave Bellarmine in a bit of a lurch. Their roster currently lists Othaniel Yanez as the only member of the coaching staff. Yanez, another former Cardinal (2006-2009), joined the staff as an assistant alongside McKinney's head coaching elevation last season. With only a month before the season, I would anticipate Yanez to serve in at least an interim capacity. 

Best of luck to Callie in her new endeavors!

Until next time, Go Cards!

Case