Sam McCutchen begins his eigth season as the head coach of the Howard Payne women’s soccer program. Sam guided the women’s program to the first winning season in only their third year of competition and to their first ASC playoff appearance in 2010. Coach McCutchen led both the men’s and women’s teams their first two seasons of competition and then transitioned into just the women’s head coach.

McCutchen is the former coach of the 2002 UIL state champions at Highland Park ISD in Dallas.   In addition, McCutchen led his prestigious Highland Park program to be a state semi-finalist in 2003.

Prior to his years of coaching in Dallas, McCutchen coached cross-country and initiated a soccer program for young men and women at Palestine High School, where his teams experienced multiple district championships, play-off victories and state contest appearances.   His impressive coaching experience also includes service (1993-1997) at Westwood High School in Round Rock and service (1981-1990) at Westlake High School of Eanes, ISD in Austin, Texas, where he developed his soccer programs to be state-contending programs.

In addition to his stellar experience in the field of high school coaching, McCutchen’s career includes many years of service as a youth minister in several Texas Baptist churches. 

McCutchen holds a M.A. and a M.S. in Professional Counseling (LPC) from Amberton University, a M.R.E. in Religious Education Administration from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Texas state teacher certification from St. Edwards University, and a B.S. in Education from Belmont University. He also has regional and national NSCAA soccer diplomas and certification, International Coaching license-FIFA-Ireland, and U.S. High School Coaches license. He has been given the Distinguished Alumni Award from both St Edward’s University and Belmont University, and multiple Coach of the Year honors from district, regional, and state-TASCO.

Sam McCutchen is married to Donna for 30 years and they have three children.