Serge Lipovetsky is a highly accomplished and versatile soccer coach and educator with over two decades of elite coaching experience at the youth, collegiate, and national levels. He has coached across NCAA Divisions I and II, led Olympic Development Programs, delivered curriculum for national coaching licenses, and mentored student-athletes who have gone on to play professionally and represent their countries internationally.
Most recently, Serge served as the 1st Assistant Coach for the University of North Florida Women’s Soccer Program (2021–2024), where he helped guide the team to numerous accolades, including 17 shutouts, consistent regional rankings, a program-high RPI, and the development of athletes who moved on to the NWSL and senior national teams. As the team’s defensive strategist, his backlines consistently produced elite-level performances and earned multiple All-Conference recognitions.
Previously, Serge was the State Technical Director for the Mississippi Soccer Association (2016–2019), where he revitalized coaching education, ODP programming, and inclusion initiatives such as TOPSoccer, securing a $50,000 US Soccer Foundation grant for an Inner-City Futsal program. His coaching and educational impact extended across multiple universities including Mississippi College, Saint Leo University, and Erskine College, where he guided teams to regional and national rankings, NCAA tournament appearances, and Sweet 16 finishes.
Serge is also a National Staff Coach Educator for both the United States Soccer Federation and United Soccer Coaches, teaching top-tier national-level courses including the USSF C License and United Soccer Coaches’ Premier Diploma. His ODP coaching resume spans multiple states and includes international trips, such as leading a boys’ ODP team to Barcelona, Spain.
In addition to his coaching credentials, Serge has administrative leadership experience, having served as Athletic Director at St. Augustine High School (FL), where he oversaw 31 sports and helped guide multiple teams to regional, state, and national recognition.
Serge holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Florida State University, along with a vast array of coaching licenses and certifications, including the UEFA C License, USSF National “A” License, USC Master Coach Diploma, USC Premier Diploma, USSF & USC National Youth Licenses, and Advanced Goalkeeping Diploma Level III. His global training experiences include stints in Iceland, Scotland, and Sweden, and he has played professionally for teams such as Cowdenbeath FC and Valur FC.
What others are saying…
“I have known Serge for a long time and feel New College of Florida has made a terrific hire. There are so many coaches who know the game but cannot teach it. Serge knows the game and he can communicate his knowledge in a simple straightforward way. He is a teacher through and through and his players will benefit from his wisdom, enthusiasm for the game and the way he brings a team together. Serge is also a relationship builder and his players will get someone that cares about them as people and students first.”
- Steve Swanson, Head Women’s Soccer Coach, University of Virginia
“It is with great enthusiasm that I extend my congratulations to both New College of Florida and Serge Lipovetsky on his appointment as the head coach of the women's soccer program. In hiring Serge, New College has brought on not only an outstanding coach, communicator, and tactician, but also a man of tremendous character, unwavering integrity, and an exceptional work ethic. These qualities will undoubtedly serve as the foundation for a successful and thriving program. Serge’s ability to build strong rapport with his players, maintain open and honest communication, and foster trust within the team is second to none. Under his leadership, I am confident the team will compete with intensity, discipline, and a strong sense of purpose—key elements for any winning program. I am excited to follow the team’s progress and see the growth of the program in the coming seasons. Congratulations once again to New College of Florida—it certainly looks like the program just got better.”
- Randy Waldrum, Technical Director, University of Pittsburgh
“Serge has over two decades of experience at the collegiate and youth levels of soccer. He has been a head and assistant coach at the collegiate level and a director of coaching at both the club and state level. He is also a national coaching course instructor for both the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and United Soccer Coaches. He is very well respected in our profession, and I am certain he will make a very positive impact at New College. The program is in great hands under his direction, and I look forward to watching the program grow with Serge at the helm.”
- Eric Faulconer, Head Women's Soccer Coach, University of North Florida
