March 6, 2008

VILLANOVA, Pa. -Villanova University has hired Ian Clerihew as an assistant men's soccer coach, it was announced today.

"Ian's recruiting skills, ability to effectively coordinate top level training sessions, and his eagerness to develop Villanova into a national contender will blend perfectly with what we are trying to accomplish as a staff," states Villanova head coach Tom Carlin, who begins his first season at the helm in 2008.

Clerihew spent the 2007 season as an assistant coach at Duke University, where his duties included practice planning for goalkeepers and field players, recruiting and game preparation. Ironically, Villanova upset the No. 1 ranked Blue Devils 1-0 during the first week of September to earn itself a spot in the top 25.

During the 2006 campaign, Clerihew served as an assistant coach at BIG EAST Tournament champion St. John's University. Among his responsibilities there were to act as recruiting coordinator for the Red Storm.

From 2003-06, Clerihew was the Associate Head Coach at Northern Illinois University, where he served under coach Steve Simmons. In that capacity he aided in all aspects of the Huskies' soccer program, including coaching, game preparation, recruiting and serving as the program's academic liaison.

Clerihew also served a stint as a head coach for both the men's and women's programs at Linfield College, a nationally recognized Division III program in McMinnville, Oregon. He led Linfield to the 2000 NCAA Division III Final Four and was 2001 Northwest Conference Coach of the Year.

As a player, Clerihew helped Seattle Pacific University capture the 1993 NCAA Division II national champion during his college career. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from Seattle Pacific in 1994.

Villanova hopes to build on a 2007 campaign that saw it reach the BIG EAST Tournament for the third time in the last four seasons.