Gardner-Webb Announces Jonathan Lagos as New Head Coach of Men’s Soccer Program

Simpsonville, S.C., Native Helped Build Nationally-Competitive Division I Program at UNC-Greensboro

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Gardner-Webb University Vice President and Director of Athletics Brendan Fahey has announced the hiring of Jonathan Lagos as the Runnin’ Bulldogs head men’s soccer coach.

“We are excited to welcome Jonathan to the Gardner-Webb family,” Fahey said. “He is a proven winner, a strong recruiter and has a great understanding of the game and what it takes to have success at the highest level. We look forward to seeing our student-athletes compete on the field and excel in the classroom under his leadership.”

The Simpsonville, S.C., native becomes the fourth coach in the program’s history. Lagos arrives at Gardner-Webb with nine years of Division I coaching experience, helping to build UNC-Greensboro into a nationally competitive Division I program as associate head coach and recruiter.

“Truly blessed and excited for the opportunity to lead Gardner Webb University Men’s Soccer,” said Lagos. “I want to thank Director of Athletics Brendan Fahey and GWU President Nate Evans for having the belief in me to lead this successful program. I can’t wait to get started building our brand and standards so that we can make Bulldog Nation proud!”

Lagos helped guide UNCG to the Southern Conference Tournament Championship in 2022 before watching his team advance to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. The Spartans also made an appearance in the Sweet Sixteen during the 2025 season. Under his leadership, UNCG captured a pair of SoCon Regular Season Titles.

Lagos helped lead J.C. Ngando to a United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer All-America First Team honor while Ngando and teammate Ethan Conley were selected in the 2023 Major League Soccer SuperDraft.

Success has followed Lagos at each of his career stops in the sport. He arrived at UNCG after a successful three-year stint as an assistant coach for Wake Forest of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

While in Winston Salem, N.C., Lagos helped guide the Demon Deacons to a College Cup semifinal appearance in 2019 as well as a Sweet 16 showings in 2020-21 and fall of 2021. The 2019 rendition of the Deacs concluded the season with a No. 3 national ranking.

Lagos was instrumental in helping six players from the Wake Forest team be selected in the MLS Draft while six others signed professional contracts. He was also a part of the coaching staff that secured a No. 1 nationally ranked recruiting class in 2021 and No. 4 class in 2020.

Lagos also had beneficial stops at Wofford College in 2018-19, North Greenville University (NGU) from 2017-18, and Big South foe Presbyterian College (PC) in 2016-17. While with PC, Lagos brought in the first recruiting class to win the Big South Title and qualify for the NCAA Tournament in 2016.

Lagos played collegiately at NGU in Tigerville, S.C., and earned his Bachelor of Science in sport management in December 2015.

For updates, game times, and more news on the Runnin’ Bulldogs, visit gwusports.com, or follow @gwusports on Instagram, X and Facebook.

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Become More at gardner-webb.edu.