CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – After a nationwide search, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi has hired
Daniel Clitnovici as just the third head coach of the women's soccer program.
Clitnovici brings more than 15 years of collegiate, professional, international and elite level coaching experience to the Island, with stints at Ursinus College since 2022 (head coach), Villanova University from 2017-22 (associate head coach/interim head coach) and Ohio State University from 2016-17 (assistant coach).
Clitnovici also enjoyed success with Major League Soccer outfit the Colorado Rapids as coach of the Rapids Women and their U20's Ladies Team from 2009-14, followed by a stint from 2014-16 as assistant coach of the Western New York Flash, where he was the WNY Flash ECNL Academy Director of Coaching. Clitnovici also serves as a United States Soccer Federation National Coaching Education Instructor and is the current North American Head Scout for the Scotland Senior Women's National Team.
"I want to thank Adrian Rodriguez, Jen Roland, Eric Schultz and the rest of the search committee for offering me this opportunity to lead the Islander women's soccer program," Clitnovici said. "The entire process was extremely insightful and welcoming. My family and I are blessed to be joining a truly positive athletic environment and such a wonderful campus. The ambition shown by the athletic department and university as a whole shows that college sports and the student-athletes are a priority here at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, and this makes this opportunity even greater.
"I would also like to take a moment to thank Ursinus College athletics as they truly created a memorable time for my family and I, and I'll always be grateful."
Clitnovici has spent the past two years as the men's head coach at Division III Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa., where he had an immediate impact. Among his accomplishments in his two seasons were: most goals scored in a single game (9), best start in program history (6-1), and just the second winning season (8-7-2) in 20 years.
Prior to Ursinus College, Clitnovici spent five seasons with Villanova women's soccer as associate head coach and interim head coach. Clitnovici was an integral part to the
gradual improvement of a soccer program that had long spent time at the bottom of the Big East Conference. During Clitnovici's tenure, Villanova returned to the Big East Conference finals in 2019 for the first time in 10 years with a 10-7-3 season and won a first-round playoff game.
"From early discussions with the search committee and to the moment I got to campus, I knew pretty clearly that the athletic department was serious about its sports and more specifically women's soccer," Clitnovici said. "There is a strong commitment to the student-athlete experience and the motivation to be successful, and I am very much aligned with that vision.
"I am excited about the opportunity to help drive the women's soccer program forward and work alongside a talented group of young women and support staff. The team is eager to get going, and I'm looking forward to getting to know and working with everyone on and off the field of play."
Before joining Villanova, Clitnovici spent one season with Ohio State, where their season ended in the second round of the NCAA National Tournament. In 2014, he was the head coach of the W-League expansion side Colorado Pride, who he led to a Western Conference playoff final. Clitnovici was named 2014 W-League Coach of the Year after he established a defense that did not concede a single goal at home.
Clitnovici also led the Colorado Rapids' U-20 team to the USL U-20 national championship in 2012.
"I am incredibly excited to welcome Daniel to the Island and to Islanders Athletics," said Adrian Rodriguez, VP of Intercollegiate Athletics. "He comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience at every level – professional, collegiate (Division I Power 5 and Division III), international, and elite club. Daniel is known as a strong tactician and recruiter, and perhaps most important – a coach who cares greatly about student-athlete and player development. I look forward to watching Daniel hit the ground running as he jumps in with the team this spring."
Clitnovici is one of the most respected coaches in the country with a reputable coaching background in the college game, elite level youth game, professional game and international game. He boasts professional coaching licensing with a United States Soccer Federation "A" License and European UEFA "A" License, as well as a United States Soccer Federation Director of Coaching License.
Before getting in to coaching, Clitnovici enjoyed a professional career that lasted more than 10 years with more than 190 professional appearances in top leagues throughout the world. Clitnovici spent time with Gold Coast United FC in Australia, Universitatea Craiova in Romania, Barnsley FC in England and Apollon Athinon in Greece. In his final professional season in 2008-09, Clitnovici played in Spain for Elche CF and CF Illicitano.
He replaces former head coach Craig Shaw, who resigned in January after seven years to accept the role of Associate AD for Business Operations in the A&M-Corpus Christi athletics department. Shaw is the winningest coach in Islanders soccer history with 46 wins.
What they're saying about Coach Clitnovici:
Nate Lie – University of Kansas Women's Soccer, Head Coach: "I believe Daniel is a great hire for the Islanders soccer program and athletic department. He's a proven winner, man of integrity and a natural relationship builder. Daniel is not only a strong tactician of the game, but also an intentional teacher and developer of student-athletes. He has a proven track record as a head coach and has worked with players at the highest levels in the world. I'd expect the Islanders to make a splash in the Southland Conference very soon."
Josh Walters – James Madison University Women's Soccer, Head Coach: "I am excited for the players and soccer community at Texas A&M University–CC that Daniel is their new head coach. They are getting a very experienced college and professional coach to lead the program. He is a full-circle coach that cares about and will develop players. I can't express enough of how high quality of a hire this is."
Brock Thompson – South Dakota State Women's Soccer, Head Coach: "Congratulations to the Islanders on a fantastic choice to lead their women's soccer program. Daniel is a true professional whose success and breadth of experience will allow him to elevate the program both on and off the field. Most importantly, he will invest in the student-athlete in a way that will enhance their student-athlete experience but also show them what is possible with commitment and discipline."
Josh Osit – Seton Hall University Women's Soccer, Head Coach: "Daniel is an incredible hire for Islanders athletics. He will bring with him an innate ability to evaluate and develop talent. The recruiting experience Daniel will bring to the Islanders women's soccer program will no doubt make an immediate impact, and I am so excited to see all that he will accomplish in the Southland (Conference)."
Tom Sermanni – Former United States Women's National Team, Head Coach: "I've known Daniel for several years and have always been impressed with his quality of coaching and the care he displays for his athletes. He creates a positive yet demanding high-performance environment that encourages athletes to achieve their best. He is greatly respected within the soccer community by both youth and senior professional coaches and players. He is an outstanding coach."
Abby Dahlkemper – United States Women's National Team: "I am very fortunate to have been able to work with Daniel during my career. His knowledge of the game, positive motivation and passionate drive to help his players succeed have all personally helped me develop throughout my journey as a professional soccer player. Daniel made me a better player and I will be forever grateful."
Professional Coaching Education
United States Soccer Federation "A" License
United States Soccer Federation Coaching Education Instructor
United States Soccer Federation Director of Coaching License
United States Soccer Federation GK License
European UEFA "A" Diploma
Football Federation Australia Grass Roots Diploma
Professional Coaching Experience
2022-24 Ursinus College (NCAA) – Head Coach
2017-22 Villanova University (NCAA) – Associate Head Coach / Interim Head Coach
2016-17 Ohio State University (NCAA) – Assistant Coach
2014-16 Western New York Flash (NWSL) – Associate Head Coach / Interim Head Coach
2011-14 Colorado Rapids (MLS/W-League) – Head Coach
2011-14 Colorado Rapids U20 (USL) – Head Coach
2008-11 Colorado Force (W-League) Assistant Coach
*Current United States Soccer Federation - Coaching Education Instructor
*Current Scotland National Team North American Scout
Coaching Honors
1x 2019 Big East Championship Finals Attendance
1x 2016 NCAA 2nd Round Attendance
1x W-League Head Coach of the Year (2014)
1x National Champion U20 – Head Coach Colorado Rapids (2012)
1x Coaching Staff of the Year (2012)
Student-Athlete Honors
1x W-League Player of the Year Honoree
2x W-League Rookie of the Year Honoree
14x NWSL Draft Honorees
4x MLS Draft Honorees
2x United Soccer Coaches All-Americans
6x NSCAA Big Ten Conference Honorees
1x Big Ten Player of the Year Honorees
3x Big Ten Freshman of the Year Honorees
1x First Team All-Big East Honorees
5x Second Team All-Big East Honorees
12x Big East All Conference Honorable Mention
3x Big Ten All Conference Honorable Mention
2x Centennial Conference All Conference Honorable Mention
10x Big East All-Freshman Team selections
8x NSCAA Academic All-Americans
4x United Soccer Coaches College Scholar All-America Honorees
15x United Soccer Coaches College Scholar All-East Region Honorees
8x United Soccer Coaches College Team Academic Award Earned.
62x Academic All-Big East selections
14x Academic All-Big Ten selections
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