CLINTON, Iowa - The Ashford University men's soccer program went within the roots of the Midwest Collegiate Conference and appointed Kyle Yager of Sioux City its next graduate assistant coach for the upcoming season.

Yager, a graduate of league counterpart St. Ambrose University, will be working alongside his former high school coach, MCC Coach of the Year Richard Markham. In Markham's first year as head coach of the Saints, Ashford enjoyed its first trip to the NAIA National Championships, hosting opening-round action in Rock Island, Ill.

"This is an exciting opportunity for me to be reunited with Coach Markham," Yager said. "The team experienced a great deal of success last season and it will be fun working to continue that trend in the future."

Yager played collegiately as a forward at Iowa Central Community College for two years before finishing his eligibility at St. Ambrose and suiting up on the field for the Fighting Bees. He graduated with his degree in Business Management.

As a senior in 2008, Yager started 20 games, finishing the season with a balanced six goals and nine assists. His 21 points tied for third on the team.

In his first year at SAU as a junior transfer from Iowa Central, Yager booted home 12 goals and assisted on four other scores. He finished his two-year career in Davenport with 18 goals and 13 assists (49 points).

Markham served as Yager's coach at Sioux City North High School for two years. Yager also coached a girls high school club team from 2005-07, the Sioux City Trouble.