Jermaine West
Jermaine West serves as the head women’s soccer coach at the University of Maine at Fort Kent, bringing 13 years of coaching experience and a deep connection to the Bengals program. A native of Jamaica and a UMFK alumnus, West has developed expertise in collegiate coaching, recruiting, tactical preparation, goalkeeper development, team culture and athletic program management.
West served as an assistant coach with the UMFK men’s and women’s soccer programs from 2014 to 2021. He stepped into the women’s head coaching role late in the 2022 season and immediately helped transform the program, guiding the Bengals to the 2022 United States Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Women’s Soccer National Championship.
West was named the USCAA Women’s Soccer Coach of the Year in 2022 and again in 2025. His first national coaching honor came after leading UMFK to a championship during his first season directing the program. West is also a Hall of Fame inductee as a member of the 2008 UMFK men’s soccer team, further reflecting his longstanding impact on Bengals soccer as both a student-athlete and coach.
As head coach, West oversees every aspect of the women’s soccer program, including recruiting, player development, training, tactical preparation, game management, scheduling and roster management. His recruiting experience includes evaluating student-athletes from high schools, club programs, junior colleges, four-year institutions, transfer pathways and international backgrounds.
West takes a comprehensive approach to recruiting, considering far more than athletic ability. He evaluates each prospective student-athlete’s academic preparation, character, work ethic, competitiveness and overall fit with UMFK and the women’s soccer program.
West believes soccer is about more than winning games. He views the sport as a platform for teaching discipline, accountability, leadership, communication, resilience, teamwork and personal responsibility. His goal is to create an environment in which student-athletes are challenged to become better players while also growing as students, teammates, leaders and people.
High expectations and high support are central to West’s coaching philosophy. He expects his players to work hard, communicate, compete and hold themselves accountable each day. In return, he believes coaches must provide student-athletes with the instruction, resources, guidance and encouragement necessary to succeed.
West works to understand each player as an individual, recognizing that every student-athlete brings different strengths, challenges, motivations, academic goals and career aspirations to the program. He helps players identify their goals and create a plan for achieving them both on and off the field.
Accountability, discipline, teamwork and growth form the foundation of West’s program. He looks for competitive, coachable and hardworking student-athletes who want to pursue championships, respond positively to coaching and remain committed when no one is watching. He values players who place the team before themselves, take their academics seriously and want to grow as both athletes and people.
West earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from UMFK. He has held a U.S. Soccer D License since 2013.
West credits his family as the foundation of his journey in coaching and life. His mother, who passed away in 2023, was his greatest motivator, and her belief in him continues to shape how he approaches his career, supports his players and responds to challenges. His father and brothers have also remained important sources of encouragement and perspective.
West is grateful for the friendship and continued support of Walford Stewart, whom he considers a brother. He also credits Kani Senior, Coach Ashby, Oniqueky Samuels, Leo Trudel, John Martin and Kemar Ricketts as mentors who have contributed to his development as a coach, leader and person.
What Athletic Director Carlson says about Coach West:
“Coach West’s quiet and steady leadership is one of his greatest strengths and something I deeply admire. He does not need to be the loudest person in the room to command respect—his knowledge, consistency and genuine care for his student-athletes speak for him. His players adore him and consistently praise his soccer expertise, leadership and ability to help them grow. The trust he has built is reflected not only on the field, but also in the loyalty, confidence and belief his athletes place in him. We are fortunate to have a leader of his character guiding UMFK women’s soccer.”
