Chris Ayer completed his 20th season at the helm of the Lander Women’s Soccer program in 2025.
As of the 2025 season, Ayer has a career coaching record of 201-165-42 (.544 winning percentage), including a record of 178-121-38 while at Lander (.585).
The winningest coach in program history, Ayer has established a tradition of success at Lander, making 17 Peach Belt Conference Tournament appearances and three NCAA Tournament appearances (2018, 2024, 2025). He has also led the Bearcats to double-digit wins in nine different seasons (2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2018, 2021, 2023, 2025).
This past season boasted the highest win total in program history (14 wins) and saw Lander make history by advancing to and hosting the NCAA Southeast Region Championship game for the first time. The Bearcats captured wins in the First and Second Rounds over No. 4 seed Francis Marion and No. 1 seed Catawba.
Ayer also guided Lander to a second-place finish in the Peach Belt Conference regular season standings in 2025, the highest finish for the program since 2021. The Bearcats won eight PBC games, their highest total since 2013, before advancing to the conference semifinals for the ninth time in program history. The Bearcats finished 14-4-2, 8-1-1 in the PBC.
Ayer captured the 200th win of his career in the NCAA Tournament First Round over Francis Marion in November 2025.
2024 marked a historic season for Lander under Ayer’s leadership as the program won its first NCAA Tournament game, topping No. 2 seed Lenoir-Rhyne 3-2 in double overtime in Hickory. Lander finished the season with a 9-4-5 overall record and appeared in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018.
During his time at Lander, Ayer has coached 14 players to the NSCAA All-Southeast Region Team, including Leah Hayes Coen, Kylie Wilson and Peyton Bibbee in 2025. Jamie Shaw was named an NSCAA All-American after the 2012 season.
In addition to his impressive accolades at Lander, Ayer most recently served as the Head Coach of the Olympic Development Program (ODP) National Team 2010. Notably, Ayer coached the team to three wins in Costa Rica in April 2025.
Ayer has also been part of the ODP Region III/South Region Staff since 2010 and holds a USSF "A" license and an NSCAA Premier Diploma.
Ayer came to Lander from Coker, where he was the Head Women's Soccer Coach from 2002-2006, while concurrently serving as the Head Men's Soccer Coach from 2003-2006.
A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Ayer earned his Bachelor's degree in Biology from Lipscomb University and played for the Bison's soccer team.
Following his graduation from Lipscomb, he spent two years as an assistant coach for the Lipscomb men’s and women’s soccer teams while earning his Master's degree in Instructional Leadership.
Ayer is married to the former Kristen Plummer of Nashville, Tennessee, and they have two children, Zach and Zoey.
(Updated December 2025)
