NISL’s Magic City SC Announces Jennifer Pfeiffer as Club's First Head Coach

“We are excited to bring Jennifer on board and start fielding our team on all fronts,” said Andrew Haines, Magic City SC’s managing partner and a member of the ownership group responsible for bringing the team to the area. “Our coaching search was successful, connecting us to some great options. Ultimately, she (Pfeiffer) checked the boxes we think will allow us to best compete for NISL titles. 

As our first Head Coach, Jennifer will be focused on hiring an assistant coach and conducting tryouts for both our Men’s Division and Women’s Division teams,” Haines continued. 

Pfeiffer, currently serving as the Executive Director of Alabama Soccer Association, is highly connected in the sport in the local community and across the entire state, making her the perfect first hire for the club. She brings a wealth of knowledge about the community, both in and out of the sport. Additionally, she has experience with the indoor iteration of the game. 

“I am honored to be named the inaugural Head Coach for Magic City SC,” Pfeiffer said, when asked about her appointment. “We have a high level of talent among the numerous teams in and around the Birmingham area. There are great coaches here who have developed and continue to invest in youth players, college players, and alumni. I am confident that we be able to select quality players for the NISL to compete to bring championships to the Magic City.“ 

Pfeiffer has over 30 years’ experience as a coach at various levels of the game from youth to college teams in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and II, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). She was most recently the South Region Assistant Coach for the 2006 Girls Olympic Development team and on the Boys Olympic Development Program (ODP) South Region staff.  

Prior to Alabama, Pfeiffer was the Co-Coach and Goalkeeper Coach for the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) Little Rock Rangers, Head Coach for the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) Little Rock Rangers, and Assistant Coach for the Final Four WPSL Chicago Red Stars Reserve team. 

Jennifer continued, “Most people have seen me as a referee or an administrator around Alabama in the soccer communities, so it is time to show them a fun game I grew up playing. I am excited to introduce indoor soccer to the Birmingham area.” 

Pfeiffer currently serves as a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) Grassroots Referee, USSF Grassroots Educator, and Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Soccer Referee. She holds her USSF A License, National Youth License, National Goalkeeper License, Director of Coaching, Referee Mentor, Premier Diploma, Youth Diploma, and Advanced Goalkeeper Diplomas from the United Soccer Coaches Association along with being a Mentor for their 30u30 program. 

She has a B.S. in Kinesiology from University of Texas-San Antonio and her M.S. in Exercise and Sports Science-Coaching Education from Ohio University. 

Pfeiffer’s appointment makes her the first female head coach in the Men’s Division of the NISL, a significant hire for the league. NISL President, Mary Ellen Rogers, commented, “Obviously, we value female representation in professional sports, both in the front office and on the pitch. We are in a unique position to provide opportunities of this nature and it is exciting to be a part of this league, at this time. I am eager to see Jennifer excel as another NISL trailblazer.” 

For more information on Magic City SC, follow their social media channels and visit their website. Tickets for the inaugural season are also available as single game purchases or season ticket packages at www.magiccitysc.com.