Colton Dutchess ’21/’24 was named the Averett University women’s soccer head coach in June 2024.
Dutchess, who previously had been a member of the Averett soccer community as a player and coach for seven years, became 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.
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.
In his first season in charge of the program, 2024, Dutchess led the team to a solid record of 4-9-3, with three wins coming in conference play. The team narrowly missed out on its first ODAC tournament berth by finishing 10th in the conference. The 2024 campaign saw record setting performances on the field, with senior striker Celia de Diego matching the Division III record for goals and points in a game, with nine goals and 20 points in a win over Hollins. Dutchess also saw four of his players earn all-academic team honors: de Diego, Hailey Juhasz, Isobel Evans, and Erika Lindstrom.
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 wife, Jenny — an Averett women’s soccer alumna — reside in Danville.
| COLTON DUTCHESS' YEAR-BY-YEAR COACHING RESULTS |
| Season |
Overall |
Conference |
Finish |
Postseason |
| 2025 |
4-9-3 |
3-6-1 |
10th |
--- |
| Totals |
4-9-3
(.344) |
3-6-1
(.350) |
|
|
| HEAD COACHING HIGHLIGHTS |
• 2 ODAC Player of the Week
• 1 ODAC All-Conference Selection
• 1 ODAC/Virginia Farm Bureau Scholar Athlete of the Year
• 4 Academic All-District
• 1 Virginia Sports Information Directors All-State Selection |
*Last updated on 5/27/2025
