HAMPTON, Va. (March 20, 2025) – A seasoned coach who has guided programs to record heights at the NJCAA and NCAA Division II levels, Sam Cain has been named head women's soccer coach at Hampton University, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Anthony D. Henderson, Sr. announced today.

"We are thrilled to welcome Sam Cain to Hampton University as our new head women's soccer coach," Henderson said. "His proven ability to elevate programs and transform cultures gives us great confidence that he will build a highly competitive and successful experience for our student-athletes on and off the pitch."

Cain arrives at Hampton after serving as head coach at NCAA Division II Wilmington University. In 2025, he led the Wildcats to the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) championship, defeating the top two seeds on the way to the program's second conference title and third all-time NCAA Tournament appearance.

Wilmington posted a 12-3-6 record last season, outscoring opponents 44-16 with a young roster that featured nine underclassmen. The Wildcats earned two wins over nationally ranked opponents, went 2-1-1 against ranked teams overall, and rose as high as No. 16 in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25, the highest ranking in program history.

Cain's teams also excelled in the classroom, compiling a 3.5 team grade-point average in the fall 2025 semester.

Before Wilmington, Cain led Iowa Lakes Community College in Spencer, Iowa, to a program-record 14-7-1 mark in 2024, reaching as high as No. 8 nationally in the NJCAA. That season, the Lakers captured the Region 11 Championship and advanced to the North Plains District Championship.

During his three seasons at Iowa Lakes, the program increased its win total each year, claimed the first conference title in school history, and produced 12 first team Academic All-Region selections and two second-team honorees, while maintaining at least a 3.0 team GPA each season.

In addition to his three years as head coach at Iowa Lakes, Cain brings over a decade of club coaching experience, having worked with various organizations in Connecticut, Iowa, and Delaware.

Cain graduated from Post University in 2010, where he helped lead the Eagles to their first CACC Tournament Championship in 2008 as a student-athlete. He competed as a central midfielder during his collegiate career before transitioning into coaching and professional scouting, where he has supported players in pursuing opportunities at the professional level, including trials across Europe and North America.

"I'm honored to join Hampton University and lead this program into its next chapter," Cain said. "Hampton represents excellence, tradition, and pride, and I'm excited to build a championship-level culture that reflects those values every day. We will establish a dynamic and competitive style of play that reflects this university's ambition, and I look forward to representing Hampton at the highest level."