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Rhodes College Soccer Camps Staff

Matt Lamb, Camp Director

Since Lamb’s first full season as head coach in 2018, the Lynx have emerged as a top competitor in the Southern Athletic Association, finishing the SAA regular season in first or second place during three of his five seasons in charge. The 2022 season (SAA Regular season champions), 2021 season (SAA 2nd place finish) and the 2018 season (SAA 2nd place finish) are the three best regular season finishes for Rhodes in over 15 years.

The 2022 season was one for the record books as the Lynx defense ended the regular season leading the country in shutouts (11) and goals conceded (4 in 15 games). After going undefeated and conceding just one goal in conference play (a conference record), the Lynx were crowned SAA Regular Season Champions (their first championship in 24 years). Lamb earned SAA coach of the year honors, four players earned first team All-SAA, three players earned second team All-SAA and one earned honorable mention. Goalkeeper Mitchell Fenton earned SAA Defensive player of the year while Eli Pilcher and Jesus Tadeo earned second team All-region. The Lynx climbed to 5th in United Soccer Coaches regional rankings.

The young 2021 team finished 2nd in the SAA regular season with four underclassmen earning first or second team all-conference. The Lynx climbed to ninth in the regional rankings (their first time being regionally ranked in over 15 years).

While at the helm, Lamb has recruited and coached 5 All-Region players and dozens of All-Conference players. The team has improved results on the field and maintained a 3.25 team gpa almost every season, earning them multiple United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Awards.

Lamb first joined Rhodes in 2014 as an assistant under legendary head coach Andy Marcinko. Before Rhodes, he was an assistant coach at the University of Maine Farmington.

A graduate of the University of Mary Washington, Lamb was a two-time captain and four-year player for the men’s soccer team. Originally from Connecticut, Lamb grew up playing for Beachside Soccer Club and Staples High School.

Lamb and his wife, Caitlin, reside in Memphis.

Tom Kirk, Assistant Coach

McKinnon Pennell joined the Rhodes staff as the Head Women’s Soccer Coach in 2024.

Before coming to Rhodes, Pennell was an assistant coach at The Citadel.

Prior to his time in Charleston, he served as an assistant women's soccer coach and recruiting coordinator at Sewanee: The University of the South for three seasons. During his tenure, he also held the interim head coach title from December 2019 to February 2020.

At Sewanee, Pennell was instrumental in leading the Tigers to the 2022 Southern Athletic Association (SAA) regular-season championship and their conference tournament championship game. For their achievements, the coaching staff was honored as the 2022 SAA Staff of the Year.
Pennell’s responsibilities at Sewanee included running practice sessions, breaking down film, developing scouting reports, evaluating and recruiting potential student-athletes, and assisting with travel and budgetary duties.

Before his role at Sewanee, Pennell served as the Director of Soccer Operations at Old Dominion University (ODU) from August 2021 to February 2022. At ODU, he was part of a successful staff that led the team to win the Conference USA regular season and conference tournament championships, earn a berth to the NCAA Tournament, and achieve regional and national rankings. The ODU staff was also recognized as the Conference USA Staff of the Year.

At Old Dominion, Pennell's duties included recruiting, player development through analytics, and serving as the social media director.

As a player, Pennell spent four years on Sewanee's men’s soccer team and earned All-SAA Academic Team honors. He also has academy coaching experience with Virginia Beach City FC and South Carolina Surf. He holds a USSF C License and strength and conditioning certifications.

Pennell graduated from Sewanee in 2018 with a Bachelor's degree in Economics and later earned his Master's degree in Education from the University of Texas at Austin in 2022.

Kyle Schwartz, Rhodes Women’s Soccer Assistant Coach – Camp Coach/Coordinator