REDLANDS, Calif. - Simeon Steward, a Redlands native and three-time First Team Citrus Belt League honoree who earned the prestigious Kaura Family Award as the outstanding athlete at Redlands High School, returns to the community where his soccer journey began joining the University of Redlands Men's Soccer program as an Assistant Coach.  

"Having Simeon join our staff is a tremendous addition in every sense," said Head Coach Alex Ortega. "He brings proven experience at the highest levels of college soccer, an exceptional eye for talent, and a genuine passion for developing student-athletes as people first. His roots in Redlands make this connection feel especially right."

Steward arrives with more than nine years of NCAA coaching experience spanning Division I and Division II programs across the country. Most recently, he served as Assistant Coach at Colgate University (Patriot League) from 2019 to 2021, where he was part of a staff that developed five All-Patriot League selections and two All-Region honorees. He stepped into an Acting Head Coach role during postseason qualification, leading team operations and in-game decision-making for the Raiders.

Prior to Colgate, Steward spent four seasons at the University of New Hampshire (America East), where he contributed to a staff that compiled a 47–20–10 record with two NCAA Tournament appearances and developed multiple All-Americans, Players of the Year, and MLS-level talent. Earlier in his career, he was part of a historic 17–1–2 season and conference championship at Southern New Hampshire University.

His roots in Redlands make this connection feel especially right — Simeon understands what it means to compete, to study, and to grow in this community. — Alex Ortega Men's Soccer Head Coach, University of Redlands

Steward also gained valuable leadership experience as Director of Soccer Operations at the University of Washington (2012–2013), where he oversaw film analysis, analytics, social media, alumni outreach, and community engagement for a Pac-12 runner-up and NCAA Tournament team.  One of Steward's most celebrated strengths is his ability to identify and attract high-character student-athletes who thrive both on the field and in the classroom. Throughout his career he has managed recruiting communications, coordinated campus visits, maintained prospect databases, and built pipelines reaching regional, national, and international talent pools. His approach aligns seamlessly with Redlands' emphasis on enrolling motivated, well-rounded individuals for whom academics and athletics reinforce one another.

Beyond recruiting, Steward brings hands-on expertise in practice design, opponent scouting and film analysis, and position-specific skill development. His United Soccer Coaches Advanced National Diploma and USSF C License reflect a commitment to continuing education within the game.  In addition to his collegiate experience, Steward has deep ties to the Southern California youth soccer ecosystem. He served as Director of Coaching at Alliance FC, Youth Technical Director at Thoroughbreds Soccer Club, and Director of Pre-Competitive Play at Palm Beach Soccer Academy. He is currently the owner and lead trainer of Simply Soccer in Redlands, providing individualized technical training to youth and collegiate players, and serves as Youth Program Manager for Redlands Football Club — overseeing camps, clinics, and the development of a structured youth programming system.

As a player, Steward made four NCAA Tournament appearances at the collegiate level and was a member of a 2009 Big East Regular Season Championship team — the first in program history — as well as the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament victory. His club career produced a Pateadores National Championship (2005) and a Cal South State title (2006), both firsts in club history. He also trained at Jurgen Kantenwein Fußball Schule in Stein, Germany, adding an international dimension to his development.

"Having grown up in this community, it means a great deal to my family and me to join the university and be part of the men's soccer program," Steward explained. Go Bulldogs!"

Steward's commitment to the NCAA Division III model is not incidental — it is a defining aspect of his coaching philosophy. He is drawn to programs where athletics, academics, and personal growth are treated as equally essential, and where coaches are trusted mentors as much as tacticians. The University of Redlands, with its liberal arts mission and culture of whole-person development, represents the environment he has long sought to call home.

He is currently completing his MBA at Southern New Hampshire University and holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Louisville. He earned recognition as an NSCAA "30 Under 30" honoree in 2014 — one of the most competitive coaching distinctions in American soccer at that stage of a career.