Bio

Joseph Tibbs, a veteran soccer coach and athletic administrator, began his tenure as Head Men’s Soccer Coach at Waldorf University in January 2025. Before this role, he simultaneously served as Assistant Athletic Director and Director of Soccer at Ecclesia College—a private, work-learning Christian institution in Northwest Arkansas—and as Boys Technical Director for Arkansas Comets FC, the state’s oldest and most successful soccer club. With nearly two decades of experience across every level of collegiate soccer—as a head coach, assistant, and program architect—Tibbs has earned a national reputation as a transformational leader committed to rebuilding programs and mentoring scholar-athletes on and off the field.

Tibbs led the Royals’ men’s soccer program to a historic campaign in his inaugural season at Ecclesia. The team posted a program-best record of 10-6-2 and remained undefeated in regular-season NCCAA conference play. Under his leadership, the Royals secured landmark victories over NCAA and NAIA opponents and advanced to the NCCAA Division I Central Region Tournament semifinals for the first time. Freshman Rony Flores earned NCCAA Central Region Second Team All-Conference honors, highlighting a season of firsts under Tibbs’ direction.

Alongside his role at Ecclesia, Tibbs served as Boys Technical Director for Arkansas Comets FC, overseeing the ECNL-Regional League boys’ program. In this position, he mentored coaches, aligned the club’s methodology, facilitated college recruitment, supported long-term player development goals, and raised the competitive standard within the organization.

Before arriving at Ecclesia, Tibbs made a significant impact at Clarks Summit University, guiding the Defenders to their most successful NCAA Division III season. As Head Men’s Soccer Coach and Game Day Administrator, he led the team to a postseason berth in the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Tournament and coached players to 10 CSAC postseason honors in 2022.

From 2019 to 2021, Tibbs served as Director of Soccer at Talladega College, where he introduced new staffing models—including graduate and student assistant coaches, a dedicated goalkeeping coach, and a director of soccer operations. His leadership helped both programs earn over 40 individual awards, including All-Conference and All-Academic distinctions.

Earlier in his career, Tibbs served as Head Men’s Soccer Coach at the University of Maine-Machias and Fisher College, where he led Fisher to a Northern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NIAC) Championship in 2018. Throughout his tenure, his players have consistently earned All-Conference, Player of the Year, All-Academic, and USCAA All-American honors.

He has coached at all levels of the collegiate game, with additional assistant coaching experience at NCAA Division I institutions such as St. Bonaventure University and Central Connecticut State University; NCAA Division II programs including Cal State East Bay and Southern Connecticut State University; and NCAA Division III Southern Virginia University.

At the elite youth level, Tibbs coached with South Central Premier Soccer Club in Connecticut, helping develop players who progressed into the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, now MLS NEXT. He has also worked with Olympic Development Programs (ODP) in multiple states, contributing to player development pipelines across the country.

His influence in youth soccer extends nationally, having held leadership roles such as Boys Director of Coaching at Red Star Soccer Academy (CA), Director of Coaching at Fredericksburg Soccer Club Inc. (VA), and Technical Director at Black Hills Rapids SC (SD), among others.

Tibbs holds an extensive set of coaching credentials, including the Football Association of Wales (FAW) C Certificate, U.S. Soccer National C License, U.S. Soccer National Youth License, United Soccer Coaches Advanced National Diploma, and Director of Coaching Diploma. He is currently pursuing his UEFA B License, further underscoring his commitment to continuous learning and professional excellence.

Tibbs’ career is marked by a faith-driven approach to leadership, a passion for player development, and an unwavering dedication to competitive and academic success. Under his guidance, Waldorf University’s men’s soccer program is poised for a new era of growth, culture, and championship ambition.