Chris Cissell is an American soccer coach born May 6, 1972 in Dallas, Texas, United States. He is the current Head Coach of the women's soccer team at Grand Canyon University. In 2003 Cissell guided the WJC women's soccer team to the NAIA National Final Four (his fifth year as the WJC women's head coach). In 2006 Cissell guided the WJC men's soccer team to the NAIA National Final Four (his fifth year as the WJC men's head coach). In 2006 Cissell was named NSCAA/adidas NAIA men's soccer National Coach of the Year. In 2010 Cissell guided the William Jewell College women's team to the National Elite Eight and the William Jewell College men's team to the National Final Four. Early soccer experiences Chris Cissell has been involved in competitive soccer since age 8 and involved as a coach in the Kansas City club soccer scene since his sophomore year of college (1991). Although born in Dallas, Texas; Cissell grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and played club soccer for the legendary Pat McBride. At Parkway West high school, Cissell was co-captain with Brian Kamler who went on to play in MLS for 10 seasons. He also played against former Kansas City Wizards midfielders Matt McKeon and Mike Sorber and current MLS and U.S. National Team star winger Steve Ralston. Coaching college soccer Guiding the William Jewell College women's program since 1999 and the men's program since 2002, Cissell has established himself as one of the most versatile and decorated coaches in the nation. In a short amount of time he has led the women's program to four women's NAIA National Tournament appearances (2003, 2004, 2005, 2007) and two men's NAIA National Tournament appearance (2004 & 2006). In addition, Cissell is the only coach in NAIA history to lead both a women's team (2003) and men's team (2006) to a NAIA National Tournament Final Four appearance. Since Cissell's arrival, William Jewell College soccer programs have become staples in the NSCAA National Rankings and regularly produce All Americans and nationally recognized scholar athletes. A standout player at William Jewell College (1990–94), Cissell has also become a well-recognized coach earning the Heart of America Conference Women's Coach of the Year honor four times (2000, 2001, 2003, 2005) as well as NAIA Region V Women's Coach of the Year award in 2003 as well as NSCAA/adidas Midwest Coach of the Year in 2003.