THE ARMSTRONG FILE

Hometown: Yorkshire, England
College: University of Edinburgh, 2000
X/Twitter: @MSU_JArmstrong
Birthday: March 20, 1979
Wife: Casey
Children: Daughter, Olivia

COACHING EXPERIENCE

2019-present:
Mississippi State, Head Coach
2017-18:
Auburn, Associate Head Coach
2013-2017:
Auburn, Assistant Coach
2015-2022:
U.S. Olympic Development Program, Region III Head Coach
2011-2015:
U.S. Olympic Development Program, Region III Assistant Coach
2004-2013:
Lonestar Soccer Club, Director of Coaching
2001-2004:
United States Soccer Federation, Equipment Manager

YEAR-BY-YEAR OVERALL RECORD

Year	School	W-L-T	Pct.
2023	Miss. State	12-6-5	.630

2022

Miss. State

12-6-4

.636

2021

Miss. State

5-8-3

.406

2020

Miss. State

6-4-3

.576

2019

Miss. State

8-8-3

.500

Mississippi State Overall

School	Years	Record	Pct.
Miss. State	5	43-32-18	.559
Total	5	43-32-18	.559

YEAR-BY-YEAR CONFERENCE RECORD

Year	School	W-L-T	Pct.
2023	Miss. State	5-3-2	.600

2022

Miss. State

4-4-2

.500

2021

Miss. State

3-6-1

.350

2020

Miss. State

2-3-3

.437

2019

Miss. State

3-4-3

.450

Mississippi State Overall

School	Years	Record	Pct.
Miss. State	5	16-20-11	.457
Total	5	16-20-11	.457

NCAA TOURNAMENTS

2023: Sweet 16 (Mississippi State)
2022: Second Round (Mississippi State)
2018: First Round (Auburn)
2017: Second Round (Auburn)
2016: Elite Eight (Auburn)
2015: Sweet 16 (Auburn)
2014: Second Round (Auburn)

James Armstrong, appointed as the sixth head coach of the Bulldog soccer program on January 18, 2019, has significantly elevated Mississippi State women's soccer and taken the program to new heights. Of the three NCAA Tournaments in program history, Armstrong has led the Bulldogs to back-to-back appearances in 2022-23.

During his tenure, Armstrong has coached some of the best in the country. Since 2019, State has had five players named to the United Soccer Coaches/NCSAA All-Region Team, six All-SEC team members, and has placed 133 players on the SEC Academic Honor Roll.

The 2023 season marked a new era of excellence, featuring the first-ever victory at Florida and back-to-back triumphs over ranked opponents. The 2023 squad tied for the most single-season SEC wins (4) and secured the most points in SEC standings (17). They also set records for the longest SEC win streak (4) and the longest SEC unbeaten streak (6). The Bulldogs advanced to the SEC Tournament semifinals for the first time and hosted back-to-back NCAA Tournaments as the highest seed in program history, culminating in their first Sweet 16 appearance. State conceded the fewest goals in program history (16) and set a record attendance of 10,122 fans. The Bulldogs finished the season 12-6-5.

In recognition of their exceptional leadership, the Mississippi State Soccer Staff was named the 2023 NCAA Southeast Staff of the Year by United Soccer Coaches. The team was also ranked 14th in the nation by both United Soccer Coaches and TopDrawerSoccer, marking the first end-of-season ranking in program history.

Academically, the team achieved a remarkable GPA of 3.65 for Fall 2023, the second-best in the program's history. They led the SEC with 25 academic selections, and 15 student-athletes earned Top Dawg Honors with perfect 4.0 GPAs.

The 2022 season was one of the most successful in the program's history. Armstrong led the Bulldogs to their first SEC tournament win and first NCAA tournament win. Multiple players set season records, including Maddy Anderson with a school-record 9 shutouts and a 0.64 GAA, and Gwen Mummert with the most field minutes in a season (1,996). The Bulldogs finished the season 12-6-4.

In 2021, Armstrong's third season, the Bulldogs finished 6th in the SEC West and secured their first win over a ranked opponent since 2018, defeating #16 Ole Miss. The team displayed remarkable goal distribution, with five players tying for the most goals.

The 2020 season, amid COVID-19 challenges, saw the Bulldogs achieve significant milestones, including their first home win against LSU and first win in Oxford since 2001. They finished 2-3-3 in an eight-game, conference-only regular season, making the SEC Tournament for the second consecutive year—a first in school history. Goalkeeper Maddy Anderson was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team, and Monigo Karnley tied the MSU career record for game-winning goals in SEC matches.

Armstrong's impact was immediately felt in his first year with the program in 2019. He led MSU to end a 15-year SEC Tournament drought, becoming only the second active SEC head coach to achieve this feat in his first year. Under his leadership, the team posted school records for goals, assists, and points in SEC play, with 16 players recording points—the most since 2008.

Armstrong's coaching career began with Lonestar SC in Austin, Texas, where he helped establish the club and placed over 200 players in collegiate programs. He also worked as an equipment manager for the U.S. Soccer Federation, contributing to the U-19 Women’s National Team's victory in the inaugural FIFA U-19 Women’s World Cup in 2002. His hiring to Mississippi State succeeded a successful six-season tenure at Auburn University, where he served as an assistant and associate head coach, overseeing some of the most productive offensive seasons in the program's history.

A native of Yorkshire, England, Armstrong holds a bachelor's and master's degree in history and politics from the University of Edinburgh and has attended North Carolina for a study abroad program. He possesses a USSF A License and a National Youth License.

Armstrong, his wife Casey, and their daughter Olivia are excited to continue their journey in Starkville, with his contract recently extended through the 2027 season. Director of Athletics Zac Selmon praised Armstrong for his leadership and the program's continued growth, both on and off the field.