Soccer Coaching Staff

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Director of Soccer

USSF A License
2011 NAIA Men's Final Four
2011 NAIA Women's Elite Eight
2011 Men's and Women's NSCAA Regional Coach of the Year
2011 HAAC Men's Coach of the Year
2011 HAAC Women's Coach of the Year
2010 NAIA Women's Final Four
2008 NAIA Men's Sweet 16

Houser began his college coaching career as the women’s head coach in 2003 by guiding the Lady Cats to their first-ever Region V playoff appearance. In 2010, Houser guided the women’s soccer program to it’s first-ever NAIA National Tournament semifinals appearance, while also capturing the 2010 Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament Championship. The Lady Cats followed up that historic season with a 2011 HAAC regular season and playoff championship. In the NAIA National Tournament, the Wildcats returned to the Elite Eight and finished the season with a 15-3-2 record. The women had four players named NAIA and NSCAA All-Americans.

Coach Houser has served as the Head Soccer Coach and Director of Soccer since 2008. Houser led the team to the 2008 HAAC Tournament Championship and advanced to the NAIA Sweet 16. The Wildcats have been ranked in the Top 10 three of Houser’s four years, including rankings in the Top 5 in 2009 and 2011.

The Wildcats enjoyed their best season in the programs 27-year history finishing the regular season 16-0-1, while ranking No. 3 in the nation and winning a share of the HAAC regular season title on their way to the programs first-ever appearance in the NAIA Final Four. Overall, Baker finished the year 20-2-1, and is set to challenge for the 2012 Heart of America Athletic Conference Championship.

Coach Houser won the HAAC Coach of the Year Award and NSCAA Plains Region Coach of the Year in 2011. With these honors, he became the first coach in the conference and region to win both the women’s and men’s award in the same season.

Professional Playing Career

After graduating from Baker in 1994, Houser enjoyed a 12-year professional soccer career. He spent 11 seasons with the Kansas City Comets and one with the St. Louis Steamers and the Baltimore Blast. Houser was an All-Star selection during the 1999 and 2000 seasons and an All-Pro selection in 2000. Houser also played outdoor soccer in the USL A-League for the Hampton Roads Mariners (1996), Rochester Rhinos (1997) and the Milwaukee Rampage (2000). Every team Houser was on went to post-season play. In 1997 the Kansas City Comets won the NPSL championship. From 2000 to 2003 Houser was part of the U.S. National Team Futsal Player Pool.

Collegiate Playing Career

In 2007, Coach Houser was inducted into the Baker University Athletic Hall of Fame as the first men's soccer player. As a player Houser was a first team All-America selection in 1992 and 1993, as well as an NSCAA first team All-America selection. He garnered honorable mention status in 1991. Houser was Conference, District and Regional Player of the Year during that time as well. In 1992 he was part of the United States Olympic Festival and won a silver medal as part of the final field of 64 for the 1992 Olympic team. Nate finished his career with 162 points in his Baker career and still holds the season record for goals and points and is the career assist leader with 35. Houser also played in the Umbro Senior Bowl in the spring of 1994 before graduating.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Associate Head Coach

Davy Phillips has been the assistant coach for the men's program since 2008 and the assistant coach for the women's program since 2009. Phillips was promoted to associate head coach following the 2010 women's final four season. The men and women are combined 62-29-11 with both programs reaching double-digit wins in each season Phillips has been a part. Both the men and women have claimed HAAC Conference Tournament titles. Both programs are perennial fixtures in the NAIA Top 25. The men's program reached the NAIA Sweet Sixteen in 2008, and the women reached the NAIA National Tournament semifinals in 2010. Before coaching at Baker, Davy was previously an assistant coach for the men's and women's programs at California State University at San Marcos.

Davy graduated with a B.A. in History and Political Science from Baker. He also earned his Master of Liberal Arts degree from Baker. As a player, he was elected captain for his junior and senior seasons and was a three-time all-conference and two-time all-region performer. The Wildcats won two HAAC Championships, two Region V Championships, and made three NAIA National Tournament appearances. For his playing contributions, Davy was awarded a place in Baker's "All-Time Starting 11" in 2009.

Phillips holds a USSF license. He is from Dallas, Texas.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Graduate Assistant

Sara Matthews is serving her second season as a graduate assistant with the Wildcats. Matthews was a member of the women's team from 2005 to 2008, and was captain her sophomore, junior and senior seasons.

In 2006 she was named to the Heart of America Athletic Conference all-conference team and in 2007 was named the Baker University Student Senate Female Athlete of the Year. Coach Matthews currently holds a USSF license. In her first season back with the Wildcats, the ladies posted a 14-6-4 record along with a HAAC Tournament Championship, before advancing to the NAIA National Tournament semifinals.

Matthews received a bachelor's degree in business from Baker in 2009 and will finish her master's degree with an emphasis in business administration in 2011 from Washburn University. Prior to returning to the BU coaching staff, Matthews spent one season with the Washburn University soccer teams.