Takes over the program after guiding Mars Hill to the 2011 NCAA Division II Sweet 16

RINDGE, N.H. (March 19, 2012) -- Franklin Pierce University Vice President/Director of Athletics Bruce Kirsh announced on Monday that Ian Clerihew has been named the new head coach of the men's soccer program, and will begin his duties effective on April 9. Clerihew brings extensive collegiate coaching experience from the Division I, II and III levels, including serving as head coach at Mars Hill College in North Carolina during the past three seasons.

"I am very excited to welcome coach Ian Clerihew to the Franklin Pierce Department of Athletics," Kirsh said. "Coach Clerihew has a very impressive coaching background and was highly recommended by several accomplished coaches and administrators throughout the country. Franklin Pierce has a rich history in men's soccer and I feel very confident that coach Clerihew will continue the tradition that has been set forth by past generations."

Clerihew served in the same capacity at Mars Hill from 2009-11 and guided the program to unprecedented heights during his three seasons while compiling a 35-19-6 record for a winning percentage of 63.3 percent. He led the 2011 team to the first NCAA Division II Tournament appearance in program history as Mars Hill advanced to the round of 16 and finished the season ranked 17th in the nation.

He led the Lions to runner-up finishes in both the 2009 and 2010 South Atlantic Conference Tournaments, which were the program's first appearances in the postseason in more than 10 years. The 2010 team was ranked 13th in the nation for a portion of the season, which marked the highest national ranking in program history. The squad also spent a portion of the season ranked No. 1 in the NCAA Southeast Region.

Clerihew mentored eight players who garnered All-SAC honors, including Richard Osterloch, who was named the 2010 SAC Freshman of the Year. Four players garnered first-team honors in 2011, including two-time honoree Troy Chavez. Clerihew also mentored six players (3 each in 2010 & 2011) who earned NSCAA All-Southeast Region honors.

“I am grateful to Bruce Kirsh for the incredible opportunity to lead the Franklin Pierce University men’s soccer program," Clerihew said. "The pride and passion for men’s soccer within the athletic department and university community is evident.  I look forward to continuing the tradition of excellence that has been established.” 

Prior to Mars Hill, Clerihew served as an assistant coach at three major Division I programs, including Big East member St. John's (2006), ACC member Duke (2007) and Big East member Villanova (2008). Clerihew's stints as an assistant coach at St. John's and Duke included two straight NCAA Division I Tournament berths and a Big East Tournament Championship with the Red Storm.

Clerihew's other collegiate coaching experience includes Northern Illinois, Akron and Linfield College. As a graduate assistant for Akron in 2002, Clerihew helped guide the Zips to a Mid-American Conference Championship and NCAA tournament appearance. He was an assistant coach on Linfield's 2000 NCAA Division III Final Four team and then stepped in as head coach the following season and was named the Northwest Conference Coach of the Year.

Clerihew had an oustanding college career as a player for Seattle Pacific University from 1990-93. He helped to guide the Falcons to the NCAA Division II Tournament all four years, including three trips the Final Four and the 1993 national championship. Clerihew earned his undergraduate degree in marketing from Seattle Pacific and a master's degree in sport science from Akron. He holds the United States Soccer Federation "A" National Coaching License.

Clerihew will be joining a Franklin Pierce program which is coming off one of the finest seasons in program history in 2011. The Ravens produced a 21-1-1 record, the Northeast-10 Conference regular season and tournament championships, the No. 1 seed in Super Region I (for the second-straight year), advanced to the program's fourth Final Four and produced a final No. 3 national ranking. Clerihew replaces former head coach Craig Stewart, who recently accepted the same position at Providence College of the Big East Conference.

For more information on Franklin Pierce men's soccer, please visit the team's page at athletics.franklinpierce.edu(.) To follow the program even further, please visit Franklin Pierce Athletics on YouTube (www.youtube.com/FranklinPierceSports), Twitter (www.twitter.com/FPUathletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens).