After joining the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi soccer program as just the third head coach in program history on March 6, 2024, Daniel Clitnovici will enter his second season at the helm of the team in 2025.
Clitnovici and his experienced staff led the Islanders to a complete turnaround in his first season with the team in 2024. The soccer program achieved historic highs and several firsts in his debut campaign, which include:
-First winning season in program history (10-5-5)
-Highest-ever winning percentage in program history (62.5%)
-Best Southland Conference finish in program history (2nd place)
-Most total wins in program history (10)
-Most consecutive wins in program history (5)
-Most wins at home in program history (6)
-Longest unbeaten streak in program history (7 games)
-Most conference points in program history (20)
-Most conference shutouts in program history (6)
-Most consecutive conference shutouts in program history (4)
In addition to these accomplishments, the Islanders also matched their longest-ever run in the Southland Conference Women's Soccer Championships, advancing to the semifinals after taking down No. 7 Lamar in the quarterfinals at the Dr. Jack Dugan Family Soccer and Track & Field Stadium.
Clitnovici brings more than 15 years of collegiate, professional, international and elite level coaching experience to the Island. He 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. He is also a United States Soccer Federation National Coaching Education Instructor.
Prior to joining Islanders Soccer, Clitnovici was the men's head coach at Division III Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa. for two seasons, where he had an immediate impact for the Bears. Among his accomplishments in his two seasons were the most goals scored in a single game (9), the best start in program history (6-1), and just the second winning season (8-7-2) in 20 years.
Clitnovici also spent five seasons with Villanova women’s soccer as associate head coach and interim head coach. Clitnovici was an integral part to the 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.
Before joining Villanova, Clitnovici spent one season with Ohio State women's soccer, 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 enjoyed success in Major League Soccer with the Colorado Rapids as coach of the Colorado Rapids Women and their U20’s Ladies Team from 2009-14, followed by a stint from 2014-16 as the first assistant coach of the Western New York Flash professional women’s team, where he was also the WNY Flash ECNL Academy Director of Coaching. During his time with the Western New York Flash, Clitnovici was integral in drafting and starting the professional careers of several United States Women’s National team players, such as Samantha Mewis, Abby Dahlkemper, Lynn Williams, Jaelene Hinkle, and Kristen Hamilton.
Clitnovici also led the Colorado Rapids’ U-20 team to the USL U-20 national championship in 2012.
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.
What they're saying about Coach Clitnovici:
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."
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."
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 Background
2024-Present Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (NCAA) – Head Coach
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
2010-12 Rocky Mountain College (NAIA) – Assistant Coach
2008-11 Colorado Force (W-League) – Assistant Coach
