Friars name new soccer coach

Friars name new soccer coach

The Providence College athletic department Tuesday announced the appointment of Craig Stewart as the head men’s soccer coach.

Stewart becomes the fourth head coach at Providence College, arriving at PC after spending the last three seasons as the head coach at Division II power Franklin Pierce University (Rindge, N.H.). He replaces Chaka Daley, who resigned in December to take the head coaching position at the University of Michigan.

In 2011, Stewart guided Franklin Pierce to a 21-1-1 overall record as the team captured the Northeast-10 Conference regular season and tournament championships for the second consecutive season. The 21 wins set a single-season school record, and the team earned a trip to the NCAA Final Four. Franklin Pierce also had its first unbeaten regular season record in team history as the Ravens went 16-0-1. For his efforts, Stewart was named NSCAA/Mondo East Region Coach of the Year for a second consecutive season.

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In three seasons, Stewart led Franklin Pierce to a 51-8-6 overall record, two Northeast-10 Conference championships (regular season and tournament), two trips to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals and one trip to the Final Four. Stewart also coached four players who combined to win six player-of-the-year awards from either the conference or regional committees. In addition, he guided the Ravens to an undefeated record (24-0-2) in the Northeast-10 Conference during the last two seasons.

Prior to Franklin Pierce, Stewart served as an assistant coach at Providence for three seasons (2006-08) under Chaka Daley. While at Providence, Stewart helped the Friars to consecutive NCAA Tournament berths and a trip to the 2006 BIG EAST Semifinals. He also spent the 2005 season as an assistant coach at Northeastern University. In addition, Stewart is currently the head coach for the U18 Boston Bolts Academy Team which is affiliated with US Soccer and Celtic FC, and serves as an assistant coach for the British University Team which competes in the World University Games.

Stewart is inheriting a Friar team that has made the NCAA Tournament five times in the last seven seasons, including two consecutive years (2010, 2011). Over the seven-year span, the Friars have recorded seven consecutive winning seasons and posted a 72-48-21 overall record. In addition, Providence advanced to the Big East Tournament semifinals four times and the championship game once.

“I feel honored and privileged to be returning to Providence College as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach,” Stewart said. “I look forward to building upon the tradition of success and commitment to excellence that has been established by those who led before me. I would like to thank Bob Driscoll and Father Shanley for the opportunity to lead a program at such a prestigious institution which competes at the highest level of collegiate athletics.”

Friar Notes

The plaudits keep rolling in for two future basketball Friars. Kris Dunn (New London, CT) was named a Parade All-American this past Saturday. Dunn helps to make up the Providence College recruiting class that is ranked sixth in the nation according to ESPN.com. He is the ninth Providence College player all-time to be named a Parade All-American. Additionally, both Dunn and Ricardo Ledo (Providence, RI) were named 2012 SLAM High School All-Americans...a potential addition to the incoming freshman class could be 7-1 center Jordan Dickerson, a native of Brooklyn, NY who prepped at IMG Academy in Florida. Dickerson visited the campus and with the coaching staff Tuesday, and plans to make a decision on his college choice soon. Several reports have Dickerson also considering Auburn and South Carolina as possible school choices...Tony Trocha, a 6-11 center originally from Colombia who played his high school ball at a small, private school in Houston, TX could also be a late addition to the incoming 2012 class. Trocha has UCLA, Kentucky, Oregon and Providence on his short list...