Men's Soccer | November 09, 2023

AIKEN, S.C. – After 28 years at the University of South Carolina Aiken, head men's soccer coach Ike Ofoje has announced his retirement effective Nov. 30.

"Congratulations to Coach Ike Ofoje on his long career at USC Aiken," Director of Athletics Todd Wilkinson said. "Coach Ike is to be commended for serving a single institution for 28 years. Ike has given his life to soccer and has poured his heart and soul into the Pacers and the Aiken soccer community. He has touched the lives of so many in a positive way. Coach Ike is a man of character, and his pleasant personality and infectious smile will be missed. He has earned a healthy and happy retirement into the future." 

Ofoje, the Director of Soccer Operations, began his career as the men's soccer coach at USC Aiken in 1996 before starting the women's program in 1997. He coached both programs from 1997-2004 before solely coaching the men's team beginning in 2005. 

Ofoje, the two-time PBC Men's Soccer Coach of the Year, had 16 student-athletes earn all-region accolades, five earn academic all-district honors and one Academic All-American. His student-athletes have garnered every school record – both for a single season and career – in virtually every statistical category. 

His men's soccer student-athletes picked up all-conference awards 35 times, including four-time all-league performer Andre Simmond (2014-17). Simmond is one of only 12 student-athletes in PBC history to earn all-conference accolades four times. In 2007, Ofoje coached Kofi Akyere, who earned PBC Player of the Year honors.  

Ofoje guided the men's soccer team to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2014 behind all-conference performers Noel Mais, Joshua Poissant, Simmond and PBC Freshman of the Year Jordan Misiri. That season, his team posted a 14-6-1 record, including a 6-3 effort against PBC competition. Additionally, his squad reached the PBC Championship match.

Throughout his time on the sidelines, Ofoje led the Pacers to three PBC Championship matches – in 2006, 2012 and 2014. 

He guided the Pacers to a 12-6-2 record in 2006, including a 4-1-2 mark against PBC foes. His team finished a point away from the PBC regular-season championship before making a sensational tournament run. His 2007 team finished a point back of the PBC regular-season title after going 4-2 in league play that season. In 2014, Ofoje's team finished second in the PBC regular season with a 6-3 mark.

The ensuing season, Ofoje led the Pacers to an 8-5-3 record, including a 5-3-1 mark against conference opponents. 

After the inaugural season on the women's side, Ofoje coached the program to a 45-39-7 ledger the next five seasons. He coached five all-conference honorees and five all-tournament team selections. Ofoje coached the school's all-time leader in goals and points in Jackie Francois.

Ofoje's 2000 women's team posted a 12-8-1 ledger. The 12 wins marks the most victories in the program's history, besting his team's 11-win effort and school-record .688 winning percentage in 1998.