NSU elevates MCArthur to interim head men’s soccer coach

Matt McArthur, former assistant men’s soccer coach at NSU, has been promoted to interim head men’s soccer coach.

McArthur brings a unique blend of international experience, passion, and a commitment to building a high-energy, competitive team.

“We want to see a team giving energy and effort over the course of the full game,” McArthur said. “Every time that they step out there and represent NSU, it’s 100% and they’re giving their absolute all and all pulling together to try and win.”

Born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland, McArthur’s soccer journey began early in his home country, where he grew up playing for local teams. His love for the game carried him across the Atlantic in 2015, when he moved to the U.S. to become a student-athlete at the University of Mobile in Alabama.

During his four years at Mobile, he played collegiate soccer while earning a degree in kinesiology with a minor in education. McArthur applies what he learned during his time at Mobile to his coaching career.

“Being a student-athlete, managing different things, preparing properly—that applies into coaching too,” McArthur said.

After graduating, he transitioned into coaching, first as a physical education teacher and youth soccer coach, and then as a graduate assistant while pursuing a master’s degree in business communication and leadership.

McArthur credits his early coaching experiences for shaping his leadership philosophy.

“I think over the course of eight years being involved in college athletics, I’ve just been pulling from all different angles, taking leadership things from all the coaches I’ve worked with,” McArthur said.

In 2023, he took the opportunity to join NSU as an assistant coach, drawn to the competitive Sunshine State Conference and the chance to be part of a program he admired from afar.

“I knew about the conference and how competitive it was,” McArthur said. “It’s a top conference across the country and well-recognized. That kind of opportunity excited me, and I was ready for that challenge.”

Now, as the head coach, his focus is on elevating the team’s performance and creating an exciting, fast-paced style of soccer that will energize both players and fans. Reflecting on the previous season, which saw the team finish 7-7-3, he acknowledges there is room for improvement.

“We had a good team, but I believe we could have done better. This season is about improving on that and competing in every single game,” McArthur said.

Alessandro Salvadego, senior soccer player and nutrition major, reflected on the team’s performance during the 2023-2024 season, acknowledging some of the challenges they faced.

“I think that overall we did well and we could have done more in my opinion because the team was really good, but we had a couple injuries during the season,” Salvadego said.

McArthur’s vision for the 2024- 2025 season is clear: a high-energy, competitive team that gives 100% effort every time they step on the field.

“We want every game to be full of energy, back and forth, with a lot of action,” McArthur said. “That’s the kind of soccer we’re aiming for this year.”

Salvadego hopes his teammates will remain loyal to each other throughout the upcoming season, as that will push them further in the competition.

“I think we should do a good job by sticking together, and that’s the main thing for me,” Salvadego said. “Be a team.”

Aside from team building, McArthur emphasizes the importance of building relationships within the NSU community.

“I want to create a team that’s not just competing on the field but one that the students and fans are excited to support,” McArthur said.

As he leads the team into a new season with his combination of international experience, passion for the game, and commitment to high-energy soccer, McArthur is looking forward to the future of the program.

“This is an exciting time for the program,” McArthur said. “We’re building something special here, and I’m excited for what’s to come.”