It is said that “soccer” in the panhandle is synonymous with the name Andy Warner.

The Lancaster, England native grew up playing the sport before moving across the pond and studying Sport Administration at Western Illinois University, ultimately earning a Master of Science degree. A few years following graduation, Coach Warner moved to Florida and became head soccer coach at the Maclay School, where he has dedicated over 30 years to developing youth and student-athletes. To date, he has racked up 465 wins, 22 District and 15 Regional Championships, along with ten appearances in the FHSAA Soccer State Championships, four of those resulting in gold medals.

Warner initiated a plan to join Maclay’s boys’ and girls’ soccer teams under one umbrella to maximize resources and improve facilities. Additionally, he introduced a “no cut” policy to increase participation and grow the game. His innovation and leadership skills have led Maclay to be one of the top soccer programs in the state.
 
Coach Warner has served as a member of the FHSAA Soccer Advisory Committee, as well as the Florida Athletic Coaches Association’s district soccer chair for North Florida. He has coached in the FACA All-Star soccer game and was named All Big Bend Coach of the Year three times, and Florida Dairy Farmers Coach of the Year one time. Warner was on the 1994 World Cup committee and was recently accepted into the FACA Hall of Fame.

An influence off the field as well, Coach Warner has co-authored children’s learning book, “Sammy Soccer” and contributed to the Umbro Soccer Education Manual. He initiated the first high school soccer segment on a local ESPN radio show, “The Soccer Guys,” which covers local and area schools and is the founder of Warner Sports Promotions, INC.

Coach Warner believes that “high school sports is the heartbeat of sports in America” and how you help shape young men and women.