Coyote Men's Soccer Hires New Head Coach, Allen Luton

The Cerro Coso Athletic Department, announces the hiring of the next head coach for men's soccer, Allen Luton. The Coyote men's soccer program is entering their second season in the fall of 2026 following a challenging start to the inaugural season last year. The fall 2025 season got off to a promising start, but difficulties with roster sustainability forced the team to cancel the remainder of the season at the midway point. Athletic director John McHenry states, "making the decision to cancel a season is a difficult call to make because of the negative impacts that it has on the conference, college, but more importantly to the student athletes. In order to move this team forward, it was most important that we find a coach that understands how to program build from the ground up. We welcome Coach Allen Luton to Coyote athletics and I am encouraged by the initiative that he is taking to do just that. The process is not fast, but with a steadfast approach, the department has confidence that Coach Luton will lay a foundation that will allow this program to move into the future."

Allen Luton, a native of Syracuse, NY, he has more than 17 years of coaching experience, including the last 11 years in the college and professional ranks. His coaching background includes stints in the NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, and U.S. Olympic Development Program, in addition to the United Soccer League (USL).

Recently, Luton served as Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Coker University (NCAA II) in Hartsville, SC, in 2025-26. Additionally, he spent three seasons in the same role at Georgia Military College (NJCAA), helping guide the program to two National Championships appearances — including a National semifinal — three straight conference titles, two Atlantic District championships, and multiple No. 1 national rankings. The program has produced 10 National All-Americans overall.

Luton also spent six seasons at Middle Georgia State University, helping earn the program's first national ranking and All-American award-winning teams in the NAIA, before transitioning to the NCAA.

In addition, he was also Associate Head Coach at Athens FC in the United Soccer League (USL2) for the organization's inaugural season of professional soccer. His coaching experience also includes numerous youth club coaching stints (U19-13) and a highly successful tenure as a high school head coach in Georgia, winning three region titles and Region Coach of the Year accolades during six seasons in charge.

As a player, Luton was a four-year starting midfielder and captain at Brewton-Parker College, winning the school's only conference title in its history. He then later played in the A-League and USL for numerous teams, most notably the Charleston Battery and Atlanta Silverbacks. He holds a Master's Degree in Education, as well as United States Soccer Association (USSF) and United Soccer Coaches (USC) Advanced National coaching credentials dating back to 2008.

Coach Luton is actively recruiting and planning for the upcoming season. Further announcements about rosters and schedules will be made in the upcoming weeks. The Coyote soccer program has scheduled an advanced camp for June 20, 2026 to give soccer players the opportunity to train with the coaching staff and experience the soccer facilities. For more information on camp, or to connect with Coach Luton, please reach out to his email at allen.luton@cerrocoso.edu