Murton Promoted to Associate Head Coach for MVNU Men’s Soccer

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio. – MVNU Men's Soccer Head Coach Kaleb Blevins announced today that Joshua Murton has been promoted to Associate Head Coach.

Murton joined the program in the summer of 2025 as an assistant coach and has spent the past year helping guide the Cougars through a successful season both on and off the field.

"I am very excited to announce the promotion of Coach Murton," said Blevins. "He has been an invaluable part of the progress we have made and the vision we have for the future. In every facet of coaching and management, Coach Murton's dedication to our student-athletes, staff, and university is evident. His leadership, experience, and commitment to excellence have had a tremendous impact on our program."

Murton played a key role in helping the Cougars achieve several significant milestones during the 2025 season. MVNU recorded a sharp rise in National RPI as well as appearing in every edition of the ARC Rankings. The Cougars finished the season at No. 12 in the North Region competing against eight of the top eleven teams in the region through all competitions. Defensively, the Cougars broke a decade-long program record by recording eight shutouts in a single season. Among the team's notable results were three road draws against Top-25 nationally ranked conference champions of the River States Conference (RSC), Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC), and Crossroads League (CL), as well as an additional Top-25 road victory. The Cougars also finished the season tied for their highest point total since 2021 and went undefeated against NCAA Division II and Division III opponents during non-league play in 2025. 

"I am very thankful to our Lord Father for opening up the door to serve here at MVNU," said Murton. "I am thankful for the leadership of Coach Blevins and the direction he is taking this program. I'm so excited to be a part of serving here at MVNU, and looking forward for what is to come."

Prior to arriving at MVNU, Murton served as the head coach of both the men's and women's soccer programs at Ohio Christian University. From 2008 to 2020, he built both programs into national contenders. During his tenure, the men's and women's teams earned multiple NCCAA Top-10 national rankings, with the men's program reaching as high as No. 2 in the nation. Under Murton's leadership, the Trailblazers captured eight regional championships and qualified for six NCCAA National Tournament appearances. Throughout his coaching career, he has helped develop more than 50 players who earned First Team All-American or First Team All-Region honors.

Murton also currently serves as Director of Coaching Education at Pride Soccer Club. He resides in South Bloomfield, Ohio, with his wife, Laura, and their children, Jack, Emma, and Olivia.

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults. With a 327-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education both in-seat and online to nearly 2,200 students from 36 states, 1 U.S. commonwealth and 41 foreign countries.