BUCKHANNON — WVWC Director of Athletics Rae Emrick named Holden Talton interim head coach of the West Virginia Wesleyan men’s soccer team on Thursday, Feb. 1.

“We are thankful that we have Holden with us on staff,” Emrick said. “He is completely ready to step into this role with full steam ahead. He has done a very nice job and we are pleased that he has accepted to serve in this capacity for the men’s soccer program.”

Talton was a member of the 2017 Mountain East Conference championship team and started with the coaching staff as an assistant in 2022.

Talton’s playing career began with the West Virginia United Soccer Club from 2007-2013. In high school, Talton was named First-Team OVAC in his senior season (2015) at University High School in Morgantown. A four-year varsity starter, Talton’s high school career was highlighted by a 2012 sectional championship.

Most recently, Talton was the Director of Valley Futsal Club during the winter of 2022. The Morgantown native was Valley Soccer Junior Academy’s Director from 2020-2022 and a coach for Valley Soccer Academy U10 and U12 girls’ teams from 2019-2022.

“Thank you, West Virginia Wesleyan College, for this incredible opportunity to be named as your interim head coach for the men’s soccer program,” Talton said. “It is both an honor and a privilege to accept this position. As an alum of Wesleyan and former assistant coach, I want to express my deepest gratitude to President Moore, my predecessor Josh Spencer, and our athletic director, Rae Emrick, for their trust and support.”

Talton replaces Josh Spencer who captained the 2017 team that defeated Charleston 2-1 and captured the MEC Championship.

A national search will begin immediately to fill the head coaching position.