Graeme Orr - Women's Soccer Coach - Southern Illinois University Athletics

Graeme Orr

Title:
Head Coach
Email:
graeme.orr@siu.edu
Phone:
618-453-5462

Graeme Orr is entering his third season as the Southern Illinois University women's soccer head coach in 2025.

Orr was named the third women's soccer head coach in program history on May 30, 2023. Orr had spent the previous 12 seasons as head coach at Division II West Alabama.

The Salukis, under Orr, earned its second-ever postseason appearance in 2024. Southern was the No. 8 seed and played against Indiana State in the opening round. SIU had two lengthy unbeaten runs during the season. To begin the year, Orr's Salukis started 2-0-2 through the opening four games. Then, from Sept. 12 to Oct. 6, Southern Illinois went 3-0-3 across six games.

Under Orr, SIU had several players receive accolades in 2024. Olivia Anderson was named to the All-MVC Third Team, while Sophia Schlicklin earned a spot on the All-Freshman Team. Lucy Horn got All-Tournament honors at the conclusion of the postseason. Five players were named to the All-MVC Scholar Athlete teams: Horn to the First Team, Kylie McDermott and Ashlyn Henrie to the Second Team, and Anderson and Sierra O'Grady to the Third Team.

In 2023, Orr earned his first win as a Saluki in his very first game with the program on Aug. 17, 2023, when Southern defeated Jackson State, 2-1. Under Orr, the Salukis had an All-Missouri Valley Conference Third Team player in Emma Spotak, and two players named to the MVC Scholar-Athlete Third Team (McKinley Stiff, Kylie McDermott).

A native of Eaglesham, Scotland, Orr was the only women's soccer head coach in West Alabama history, having started the program in 2011. During Orr's tenure at UWA, he posted an overall record of 115-78-19, a conference record of 79-44-9, and UWA recorded 10-consecutive winning seasons and 11-straight postseason appearances.

"Throughout the interview process, Graeme demonstrated a clear vision and blueprint for how you build a successful women's soccer program," said Tim Leonard, SIU's Director of Athletics. "Graeme's experience and soccer expertise, combined with his leadership and communication skills, are the fit we were looking for."

In addition to team success at UWA, Orr's squads produced 33 all-conference members, 23 D2CCA All-South Region selections and two conference player-of-the-year winners.

"I am grateful to Tim Leonard and Chancellor (Austin) Lane for this wonderful opportunity to serve Southern Illinois University," Orr said. "SIU is an institution with rich history and substance. Carbondale is a community with a real authenticity and soul. It's a privilege to be here working. I know the administration's vision aligns very much with mine, and we now look to go and deliver on this. I very much look forward to meeting with the players on their return from summer break and can't wait to get started."

Prior to West Alabama, Orr was an assistant coach at North Alabama from 2008-10. The school advanced to the NCAA Tournament round of 32 in 2009, its first NCAA postseason appearance in school history. Along with his duties in Florence, Ala., Orr served as a head coach for the Alabama Olympic Development Program.

Orr graduated from Martin Methodist College in 2007 and was a four-year letter winner on the men's soccer team, an all-conference selection and a two-time team captain. He led the squad to both a regular-season and conference tournament championship.

Orr also played for the Albion Rovers in Scotland and completed a SVQ Level 2 in sport & recreational studies. In 2002, he became a soccer coach for East Renfrewshire Council where he worked with children from 3-16 years old.

Orr has assisted the development of numerous professional players, including Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns, USA), Nicki Gears (Sunderland F.C., England), Katy Morris (Coventry United – England), Nicola Gibson (Watford F.C. – England), Kirsten Reilly (Crystal Palace F.C. – England) and Anele Komani (Hapoel Petah Tikva F.C – Israel).

Orr's coaching licenses and certifications include NSCAA Premier, USSF 'A' License, US Youth Soccer National Youth License, Scottish F.A. Level 3 in Children & Youth, United Soccer Coaches Level 3 goalkeeping, and a UEFA B license. Orr earned a master's degree in health promotion and human performance from North Alabama in 2009.

What they're saying about Coach Orr:

Kirsten Reilly, professional soccer player from Crystal Palace in the FA Women's Championship
"SIU has secured an amazing person and coach by hiring Coach Orr for their women's soccer program. He puts his whole life into supporting and improving his players on the field, in the classroom and in general life. He always strives for achieving the best and that can be seen from his passionate and determined approach toward all things soccer. I am sure he will give his all to achieve great things with this program."

Mark Krikorian, general manager for the Washington Spirit
"I am excited to watch Graeme develop at Southern Illinois. He has done a great job at UWA establishing a successful program, and he is a coach with great potential."

Hollie Loud, Arizona State Sun Devils assistant coach
"Graeme has built a consistently competitive program from the ground up. He has a player-centered approach that develops student-athletes on and off the field. His attention to detail, drive and hard work will help SIU soccer and all involved excel."

Sam Coffey, American professional soccer midfielder for Portland Thorns FC in the National Women's Soccer League and the United States national team
"I'm so excited to hear that Graeme will be taking over as head coach of Southern Illinois. Graeme is someone who will go above and beyond in his investment and care of his players both on and off the field. I am nothing but confident that he is going to thrive and cultivate an incredible culture in this new position. He is a special coach and a special person and I'm certain the SIU community will come to learn of this as soon as he steps on campus."

Ciaran Traquair, head coach at The Citadel
"Graeme is a fantastic hire for the SIU athletic department. In Graeme, the program will have a man of strong character, knowledge, experience, and a true passion for developing student athletes. Graeme has consistently shown his ability to recruit, build and sustain success in his previous role at UWA. He evolves with the game and continues to educate himself on how best to serve the student-athlete. The program will be in great hands moving forward and I am excited to see him put his stamp on the SIU program."