Michael Meachum Builds a National Power at Midwestern State
- Jonathan Turner
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
Michael Meachum’s name has become synonymous with sustained excellence in NCAA Division II men’s soccer. From conference championships to national prominence, the Midwestern State head coach has crafted one of the most consistent and respected programs in the country—earning accolades that reflect both longevity and peak performance.
Meachum’s résumé speaks volumes. He has been named United Soccer Coaches South Central Region Coaching Staff of the Year twice (2023, 2025), Lone Star Conference Coach of the Year three times (2021, 2023, 2025), and Heartland Conference Coach of the Year in 2018. Those honors mirror a career defined by competitive standards that never dip.
The 2023 season marked Meachum’s sixth year at the helm of the Mustangs after taking over the program in 2018, following seven seasons as an assistant under Doug Elder. By that point, Meachum had already cemented his influence, guiding MSU through one of the most successful stretches in school history.
In his fifth season as head coach, Meachum led Midwestern State to a 13-6-3 overall record and a Lone Star Conference Tournament championship, defeating Oklahoma Christian 2-0 in the final. The Mustangs advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II Tournament and climbed as high as No. 18 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll. Individually, Mere Escobar etched his name into program history by earning D2CCA Second-Team and United Soccer Coaches Third-Team All-America honors, becoming just the sixth Mustang to earn All-America recognition from both organizations.
The 2021 campaign further highlighted Meachum’s ability to guide elite teams. MSU finished 16-3-1 overall, went 7-1-0 in Lone Star Conference play, and captured both the regular season and postseason tournament titles. As the No. 1 seed in the South Central Region, the Mustangs earned a first-round NCAA bye before falling in the second round. Trevor Amann emerged as one of the nation’s best, earning D2CCA First-Team and United Soccer Coaches Second-Team All-America honors, while MSU closed the year ranked No. 22 nationally.
That same year, during a shortened spring season, the Mustangs posted a 7-3-1 record, finished runner-up in conference play, and again ended the campaign ranked No. 22 in the national poll—underscoring the program’s consistency regardless of circumstance.
Meachum’s foundation was laid quickly. In 2018, his first season as head coach, MSU Texas posted a 16-1-3 record, extended its unbeaten streak to 35 matches—the fourth-longest in NCAA Division II history—and claimed the Heartland Conference Championship. The Mustangs reached the NCAA Tournament once again, while Meachum coached two D2CCA All-Americans, Rory O’Keeffe and Taylor Lampe.
Success had followed Meachum long before his promotion. During his seven seasons as an assistant at Midwestern State, the Mustangs made six NCAA Tournament appearances and compiled a remarkable 103-19-13 (.811) record. The 2017 team finished 20-0-1, the first unbeaten season in program history, advancing to the national quarterfinals and winning a second straight Heartland Conference title.
Across his coaching career, Meachum has developed elite talent at an extraordinary rate. His recruiting philosophy—blending top Texas prospects with international players—has produced 15 United Soccer Coaches All-Americans, eight D2CCA All-Americans, 55 combined all-region selections, and 18 all-conference honorees.
Before arriving in Wichita Falls, Meachum built his experience at every collegiate level, including assistant coaching stops at Bethany College, Hastings College, Northeastern State, and Division I Oral Roberts, while also serving with the Oklahoma State Olympic Development Program. A standout player at Bethany College, Meachum started 79 of 83 matches, earned four All-KCAC selections, and was named the conference’s Freshman of the Year.
Now residing in Wichita Falls with his wife Meagan and daughters Hadley and Hayden, Meachum continues to elevate Midwestern State on the national stage. With multiple conference championships, consistent NCAA Tournament runs, and a growing list of national honors, his legacy is no longer defined by potential—but by sustained excellence.
For Midwestern State men’s soccer, the standard has been set. And under Michael Meachum, it continues to rise.
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