DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University announced the promotion of assistant Colton Dutchess '21/'24 to women's soccer head coach on Thursday as Tye Cole resigned to pursue other opportunities.

"We are very excited that Colton Dutchess will be our next women's soccer head coach at Averett," Interim Director of Athletics Danny Miller said. "Colton has been a valuable member of our Averett soccer community for the past seven years as both a student-athlete and a coach. He has a passion for the game, our student-athletes and our university."

Dutchess becomes the 13th coach of the Averett women's soccer program since it began play in 1993. He takes over a program that has a history of success, including a USA South Athletic Conference Championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2012, along with two USA South Player of the Year selections and one Academic All-America recipient. The Cougars are entering their third year in the highly competitive ODAC in the upcoming 2024 season after going 6-10-2 (3-7 conference) and producing one all-conference selection in 2023.

"I'm grateful and excited to be named the women's soccer coach at Averett," Dutchess said. "From being a student-athlete at Averett to being on the coaching staff for both soccer programs, I've been mentored and learned from many great people, and I look forward to being able to do my part in doing the same now as the head coach of the women's program. I'm ready to build upon the hard work that these players have put in. Thank you to the administration for the trust in me to continue the development of our program on and off the field."

Following his playing career at Averett, Dutchess returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach for the men's program in July 2022 after serving as a volunteer assistant coach with the program during the 2021 season. While assisting with the men's program, Dutchess also began serving as an assistant coach with the Averett women's soccer program.

Dutchess was a four-year member of the Averett program as a goalkeeper from 2017-21. The native of Sanford, North Carolina, played 35 games in goal for the Cougars, making 170 saves while allowing just 1.89 goals per game in more than 2,900 minutes. He was named Averett's 2020-21 Dr. Tommy Foster Male Student-Athlete of the Year and also earned USA South Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors once. He also received the service award twice from Averett's Sports Information Department.

Dutchess played internationally in Croatia and Sweden in spring 2022.

Dutchess earned his bachelor's degree from Averett in May 2021 and completed his master's degree in business administration from Averett in May 2024. He and his fiancée, Jenny — an Averett women's soccer alumna — reside in Danville.