Auburn soccer and head coach James Armstrong announced the addition of Tara McQueen to the program’s coaching staff on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
McQueen joins the Tigers after spending the previous three seasons at the University of North Alabama.
“I’m extremely thankful for Coach Armstrong presenting me with the opportunity to join the Auburn soccer program,” McQueen said. “Auburn’s familial culture, competitiveness and high standards immediately stood out to me as something I wanted to be a part of. I’m excited to get to work with the players and staff and help contribute to the continued success of the program!”
At Auburn, McQueen will be responsible for leading and developing the Tigers’ goalkeeping unit.
“Tara will be a tremendous addition to our coaching staff,” Armstrong said. “She is a great person and great coach whose resume speaks for itself. She’s got a keen eye for leading and developing elite goalkeepers. I know she’ll continue that here at Auburn with an immense sense of positivity and enthusiasm.”
In her three seasons in Florence, McQueen coached UNA’s goalkeepers to 24 clean sheets and 260 saves. She led both Adriana Wright (2023) and Madison Vukas (2025) to ASUN Keeper of the Year honors.
Coached by McQueen, Vukas set North Alabama’s program record for goals-against average at 0.62 last season, conceding just 12 goals while stopping 111 shots for a 90.2 % save rate, the second best by an individual player in Division I.
UNA led Division I in team save percentage in 2025.
Two years prior, McQueen saw Wright dominate between the posts, securing a 0.82 GAA with a school-record 13 shutouts. Wright also earned United Soccer Coaches All-South Region.
Prior to UNA, McQueen spent one season as an assistant coach at Jax State and three years as a graduate assistant coach at Valdosta State.
While with the Blazers, she helped lead VSU to three Gulf South Conference Tournament appearances and a berth in the 2021 NCAA South Regional. McQueen mentored Molly Wooldridge, who was named the GSC Freshman of the Year in 2021.
At the prep level, McQueen coached at Radford High School, Lake Braddock Secondary School and Chantilly High School from 2016-19.
Collegiately, McQueen played at Radford University and George Mason University, where she earned her degree in sport management in 2019. She received her Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership from Valdosta State in 2021.
McQueen is a native of Richmond, Virginia, and attended Midlothian High School.