UPS names new women’s soccer coach

Joseph Vari, who compiled a .621 winning percentage in seven years as the coach at Rhodes College, was hired to be the University of Puget Sound women’s soccer coach Wednesday.

Vari replaces Randy Hanson, who announced his retirement after 20 years as coach of the Loggers.

“My goal in leading Puget Sound through this new chapter is to continue the program’s success, but also leave my imprint,” Vari said in a release issued by the school. “We’re going to play a high-energy, up-tempo style, and it’s going to be fun.”

Vari went 75-43-14 at the Memphis, Tennessee, Division III school, which is in the Southern Athletic Association. He led the Lynx to the conference tournament finals in 2012, 2014 and 2015. Rhodes College earned a share of the regular-season league title in 2012.

“We are delighted to have Joe ready to join our staff and continue our strong tradition of women’s soccer success,” said Amy Hackett, UPS athletics director. “Joe has a tremendous appreciation of the NCAA Division III student-athlete experience and in seeking athletic and academic excellence.”

Before becoming the head coach of the women’s team at Rhodes College in 2009, Vari spent one year as an assistant coach for the men’s and women’s Lynx soccer teams. He was an assistant coach for the men’s and women’s soccer teams for five years at Lynchburg College.

Vari earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Hiram College in 2003, where he was a four-year goalkeeper for the men’s soccer team. He completed his master’s degree in education at Lynchburg in 2006.

This story was originally published March 30, 2016 at 7:34 PM with the headline "UPS names new women’s soccer coach."