Michner Named Women's Soccer Head Coach
8/6/2010 3:37:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Michner, a 1998 graduate from Germantown, Tenn., rejoins the Cougars after serving two seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Illinois under head coach Janet Rayfield. The Fighting Illini were ranked as high as No. 11 in the nation during the 2009 season and produced six All-Americans, 11 All-Big Ten First Team selections and 51 Academic All-Big Ten honorees.
"Returning to College of Charleston is a dream come true for me and my family," said Michner, who earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from The College. "It's a wonderful university in a beautiful city, and you get the sense immediately that there is something really special happening here with the women's soccer program.
"With the quality student-athletes this team is returning, and the addition of a great recruiting class, the outlook for the upcoming 2010 season is bright. The goal is consistently to position ourselves to compete for Southern Conference Championships and earn NCAA Tournament berths."
Prior to his appointment at Illinois, Michner served as an associate head coach for one year and assistant coach for three years at the University of Oklahoma under former head coach Randy Evans.
A former forward at CofC, Michner played for current men's soccer head coach Ralph Lundy from 1996-98 after transferring from Creighton University. After graduation on the Cistern, he played five years in the professional ranks with the Colorado Rapids, San Jose Clash, San Francisco Bay Seals, Seattle Sounders, El Paso Patriots and San Diego Flash.
"Christian Michner is a man who is passionate about the game of soccer," Director of Athletics Joe Hull said. "He loves the game and lives the game. He had a terrific background as a player and has learned how to teach the game from some of the very best coaches.
"His sister, Kendyl, was an outstanding player who played in the World Cup (for Mexico in 1999) and his wife, Sarah, was an All-American and a coach. He has been surrounded by people who know how the game is supposed to be played. I am delighted that a person with his background, knowledge and experience, is our new coach."
Michner has a wealth of soccer experience both as a coach and a player. He spent two years as a member of the U.S. U-20 National Team and his coaching resume includes stints with the Cal South Olympic Development Program and multiple youth soccer leagues across the country. Michner attained his U.S. Soccer Federation "A" Coaching License in 2006 and NSCAA Premier Diploma in 2010.
A member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and U.S. Soccer Federation, he is married to the former Sarah Popper, who was an NSCAA First Team All-American at the University of Connecticut. They are the proud parents of a two-year-old son, Caelen.
"I would like to thank Director of Athletics Joe Hull for believing in me and my vision for this program," he said. "I've had the opportunity to work for two great head coaches in Randy Evans and Janet Rayfield which has prepared me to be successful at College of Charleston. I'm excited to get started and ready to begin this journey."
Michner replaces former CofC head coach Kevin Dempsey, who led the Cougars for nine seasons and resigned in July to accept a position as an assistant women's soccer coach at LSU. Current CofC assistant coaches Mike Barroqueiro and Laura Jackson have been retained on Michner's staff.
The Cougars open the season with an exhibition match slated against South Carolina State on Thursday, Aug. 12, at 7 p.m. and their home opener versus Kennesaw State on Friday, Aug. 20, at 7 p.m. Both contests are to be played at the Soccer Stadium at Patriots Point.
Season tickets for the upcoming 2010 men's and women's soccer seasons are still available for purchase for $50 (general admission) to the general public and $40 (general admission) for College of Charleston staff and faculty by calling the athletics ticket office at 843-953-CofC or by going online at www.CofCSports.com. CofC students are admitted free with valid university ID and single-game tickets are also available for $5 (general admission).
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT COACH MICHNER
"Christian Michner has an amazing soccer background which will allow him to carry on the great work of Kevin Dempsey. His youth, college and professional playing career, have given him a total understanding of the game. He knows what to do and how to do it well. He is already a Cougar and understands College of Charleston best." - College of Charleston Men's Soccer Head Coach Ralph Lundy
"Christian is a wonderful person and an exceptional coach. He has truly had a positive impact on our program, which will remain even in his absence. The College of Charleston is fortunate to be adding Christian to their staff and their women's soccer program. We wish him all the best and will do our best to take everything he has contributed to our program - and use those things to continue our success." - Illinois Women's Soccer Head Coach Janet Rayfield
"Christian Michner is a fantastic coach. I've coached him on many different levels, and he was not only a phenomenal player, but he illustrates the game so well and communicates exceptionally well with young ladies. He is a man of tremendous character and CofC is very fortunate to have him as its head coach. I wish him nothing but the best of luck and I know he will have nothing but the university's best interest in mind as he carries the program forward." - Tennessee Women's Soccer Head Coach Angela Kelly
"Coach Michner is an excellent college coach and is a perfect fit as the new women's soccer coach at College of Charleston. Kevin Dempsey did a wonderful job of taking the program to a solid level, and now, I'm sure Christian will use the experiences he's earned as a CofC player and by coaching all around the nation in the Big 12 and Big Ten Conferences, to help Charleston take that next step forward. I'm very excited for him and his family, as well as the program's players and supporters, for getting such a great person as their new women's soccer leader." - Texas A&M Women's Soccer Head Coach G Guerrieri
