YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. | Young Harris College has announced the hiring of Wes Anania as the new head coach of the Young Harris College women's soccer program, Vice President for Athletics and Student Engagement Emily Carella announced today.

Anania brings extensive collegiate coaching experience to Young Harris after previously serving on the staffs at Clayton State University, Georgia Southern University, Oglethorpe University, the University of North Georgia, Huntingdon College, and the University of Montevallo.

"We are excited to welcome Wes Anania to lead our women's soccer program," stated Emily Carella. "Throughout the process, Wes stood out not only for his knowledge of the game, but for his passion for developing student-athletes as people, leaders, and competitors. His energy, vision, and commitment to building a strong culture make him a tremendous fit for our campus community, and we are excited for the future of Young Harris women's soccer under his leadership."

Anania most recently served as the assistant coach for goalkeepers at Clayton State University during the 2025 season following two seasons as a volunteer assistant coach and director of camps with the Georgia Southern University women's soccer program.

Prior to his time at Georgia Southern, Anania spent seven seasons as the head coach at Oglethorpe University from 2016-21, where he helped elevate the NCAA Division III Stormy Petrels both on the field and in the classroom. During his tenure, he coached six all-conference selections while the program also produced 18 all-conference academic honorees. Oglethorpe earned the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award in 2021, while the 2019 squad posted the program's first winning season since 2000 and opened the year with a seven-match winning streak.

Before his time at Oglethorpe, Anania served as an assistant women's soccer coach at the University of North Georgia from 2013-15. During his three seasons in Dahlonega, the Nighthawks compiled a 45-13-3 overall record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II Championship in both 2014 and 2015. North Georgia led all of NCAA Division II in goals scored during the 2014 season with 84 goals, while Anania helped coach three All-Americans, nine all-region selections, and the Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year.

Anania also previously served as head coach at Huntingdon College from 2009-12, where he guided the Hawks to their first-ever Great South Athletic Conference Tournament appearance in 2011. During his tenure, Huntingdon produced seven All-Great South selections and 13 Great South All-Academic honorees.

He began his collegiate coaching career as an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of Montevallo, during the 2008 season. That year, Montevallo captured the Gulf South Conference regular season title, advanced to the conference tournament final, and earned a berth into the NCAA Division II Regionals.

"I want to thank Emily Carella, Randy Dunn, and the rest of the search committee for providing me an opportunity to build on the solid foundation Coach Allen and his staff have provided going into the 2026 season," said Anania. "From the moment I stepped on campus I could tell Young Harris College was a school and soccer program I wanted to be a part of. I couldn't be more excited to be welcomed into the Mountain Lion family."

In addition to his collegiate coaching experience, Anania has also coached at the club and prep levels, including stints with the Birmingham United Soccer Association, Kennesaw Football Club, and Franklin High School in Massachusetts.

As a student-athlete at Montevallo, Anania enjoyed a successful playing career and earned Preseason All-Gulf South Conference honors during his senior season. He finished his career second all-time in program history in matches played with 65 appearances. During the 2004 season, Montevallo captured the Gulf South Conference Championship, earned the program's first NCAA Tournament at-large bid, and reached as high as No. 7 in the national rankings.

A native of Franklin, Massachusetts, Anania earned his Bachelor of Science in kinesiology from the University of Montevallo in 2006 and later earned his Master of Science in physical education from the University of North Georgia in 2014.

Anania will officially begin his role as head coach of the Young Harris College women's soccer program on June 1, 2026.