NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion University Director of Athletics Dr. Wood Selig announced that men’s soccer head coach Alan Dawson has signed a contract extension through January 2021. Dawson is the all-time winningest coach in Old Dominion soccer history.
“Coach Dawson is one of the most respected college soccer coaches in the country. His tenure at ODU has been punctuated by high graduation rates, Championships, and NCAA tournament appearances. Alan runs a first class program and we are fortunate to retain him at ODU for the foreseeable future,” Selig said.
The soccer Monarchs are coming off a successful 2017 season, which was highlighted by a C-USA Championship, their second title in four years.
The Monarchs finished the 2017 season 13-6-2 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament. The team ranked top-15 in the country with 10 shutouts.
“I am delighted to extend my contract here at Old Dominion University as it allows me the opportunity to continue leading the men’s soccer program into an exciting future,” said head coach Alan Dawson. “I am grateful for the support and confidence shown in me from our Athletic Director Wood Selig. I am also indebted to our President John Broderick who has been a sideline supporter of men’s soccer for many years.”
Dawson has spent 21 seasons at the helm of Old Dominion soccer and has led the Monarchs to 12 NCAA appearances. In those 12 appearances, nine teams have advanced to the second round and two teams reached the sweet sixteen of the NCAA tournament. Dawson has produced 15 All-Americans and 10 MLS Draft picks since 2006. With the guidance of Dawson, the program continues to be nationally ranked year after year.
Academically, eight student-athletes earned Dean’s List honors in the fall semester. The Monarchs have compiled a cumulative 3.08 GPA.
In the 2017 season, several Monarchs were tabbed with post-season accolades. Goalkeeper Mertcan Akar was named C-USA Goalkeeper of the Year. Brandon Perdue was named VaSID Rookie of the Year, Niko Klosterhalfen was named to the C-USA All-Academic Team, and seven Monarchs earned All-C-USA Honors.
Dawson owns a 362-161-49 career record and a 233-131-39 record at Old Dominion. One of the most prolific coaches on the national level, since entering last season, Dawson is the 13th winningest active coach by percentage in Division I and the 27th all- time winningest coach in Division I by victories. In 29 years of coaching, eight years at Methodist and 21 at Old Dominion, Dawson has compiled a .692 winning percentage.
“I am particularly excited to work alongside two dynamic young assistant coaches in Chris Harmon and Tennant McVea. As a coaching team we are highly motivated to bring the best out of an outstanding group of returning student-athletes both on the field and in the classroom,” said Dawson. “The success of the men’s soccer program over the years would not have been possible without the tremendous support of our wonderful community. My wife Mari and I would like to extend our gratitude to everyone who was part of the journey.”