Soccer isn’t just a sport in Scotland, it’s a lifestyle. Born and raised in Clydebank, Scotland, UNC Wilmington women’s soccer coach Paul Cairney grew up loving and always being around the game of soccer, or futbol, as it is referred to across the pond. “You either watch soccer or you play soccer, so it was something we all did,” Cairney said.

 Cairney played soccer ever since he could kick a ball and played on various teams throughout his career, including at his high school. After graduating, he decided to further his education by attending UNCW in 1989. He played on the Seahawks’ soccer team, while also achieving the status of first in his undergraduate class. He followed up that performance by maintaining straight A’s throughout his graduate degree.

This, in fact, is Cairney’s number one priority for his female players, that they are student athletes. “Ultimately, we are in the business of educating student athletes,” Cairney said. “Education is number one.”

After graduate school, Cairney went on to be an assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s programs, which ultimately landed him the women’s head coaching job at UNCW in 1995.  Now you would think that a collegiate head soccer coach would just be the master of soccer, but in fact Coach Cairney attained a master’s degree in English at UNCW.

That degree hasn’t necessarily helped him communicate better to his team over the years, though. “I think experience more than anything else helps you to communicate,” he said.

One area Cairney is certainly not lacking in is experience. Entering his 15th season as head coach, Cairney has won the CAA’s Coach of the Year honor twice in addition to helping lead the team to a conference championship in 2009. 

Cairney describes himself as “disciplined, diligent, emotional and passionate.” He is disciplined with his soccer team, expecting self improvement from each player every time she steps on the field. Cairney has been beyond diligent his whole life, working hard to maintain academic excellence. If you believe he isn’t emotional or passionate, then attend a women’s soccer practice or game to see how much enthusiasm Paul Cairney puts into his program. 

On the soccer field he is all business, but off the field he enjoys spending time with his wife, Donalda, and three children, Tess, Cameron and Lily. He is an avid cook says that is his favorite hobby.