NAMPA, Idaho – The Northwest Nazarene women's soccer program hired John Hawks as an assistant coach recently.

Hawks comes to NNU after spending the last three years at the University of Missouri first as a volunteer assistant with the women's soccer team and then the team's director of operations.

Hawks replaces James Williamson, who was hired as an assistant coach and faculty member at Corban University.

"We are thrilled to have John join our coaching staff," NNU head coach Mary Trigg said. "He is eager and ready to help take our team to the next level. He brings a unique experience, having seen the game from many different roles. Beyond what John can bring to the program in a coaching capacity, he also fits our mission here at NNU and is a great human being. We're excited about this fall."

Prior to joining Missouri, Hawks was an assistant coach for the Muriel Battle High School boys and girls soccer teams and has also been a National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association sanctioned referee since 2014 and a Missouri State High School Activities Association referee since 2011.

He refereed the 2014 American Midwest Conference women's postseason and the 2015 AMC men's postseason.

"The opportunity to join Coach Trigg's program is something I'm extremely grateful for," Hawks said. "The winning culture she is developing, along with the special environment she has cultivated during her time here was apparent from the minute I stepped on NNU's campus.

"To have a platform where sport and faith intersect to create a transformative environment for all is something I value greatly."

The Nighthawks have been trending upward the last two years. In 2017, the program earned its first postseason berth and in 2018 the team finished with a .500 or better record for just the second time.