NORFOLK, Va. -- Old Dominion head men's soccer coach Tennant McVea announced on Wednesday that Derek Neidlinger will be an assistant coach this coming season after serving as a volunteer assistant coach in 2023.
"I am extremely excited that we have been able to retain Derek's services. As an alum, Derek understands the values of the program and is fully committed to the cause. He is a dedicated, hardworking and hungry young coach who has a fantastic future in this game. His energy is infectious and his passion for this program shows in everything he does," said McVea."
Neidlinger was a volunteer assistant coach this past season for the Monarchs and held a variety of roles in 2023. From on field work, day to day team management, team travel, scouting and analytics, he immersed himself into the team system.
A native of Napa, California, Neidlinger started at Santa Rosa Junior College where he played two seasons and was a second team All-American in 2019. He transferred to Old Dominion where he played in every game in the 2020 and 2021 season and was a two-time Conference USA Academic Honor Roll selection.
He finished his collegiate career at Corban University in 2022 where he helped anchor a backline that allowed the least goals in the NAIA and had the most shutouts in the association.
Neidlinger graduated from ODU in 2022 with a bachelor's in sports management and earned his master's in business administration from Corban in September 2023.
"I couldn't be more excited for the opportunity to continue to work at my alma mater. This is a historic and well-respected program that I look forward to helping continue develop and return back to one of the nation's best. I'm incredibly thankful to Coach McVea and the University for continually believing in me," said Neidlinger.
Derek Neidlinger Named Men's Soccer Assistant Coach
