Villanova, Pa. - Director of Athletics Mark Jackson announced on Friday afternoon the hiring of Chris McLain as the head coach of the Villanova women’s soccer program. McLain was identified during a national search that attracted many highly-qualified candidates, and he is set to become the seventh head coach in program history. In hiring McLain, the Wildcats move the program forward with an experienced collegiate coach with a proven track record of recruiting at a high level. McLain has been recognized by his peers for his passion for the game, and for promoting a complete collegiate experience for his student-athletes.
“When we launched this search a few weeks ago, it was evident by the caliber of coaches interested in the job that this program has all the ingredients to have sustained success on a national level,” Director of Athletics Mark Jackson said. “Chris stood out amongst this group of coaches and it was clear he had all the qualities we were looking for. His energy, experience and expertise in recruiting, player development, strategy and knowing how to build the right culture within our Villanova community will make an immediate impact. We cannot wait for Chris and his entire family to get on campus and become part of Nova Nation.”
McLain comes to Villanova from The Ohio State University, where he served as the women’s soccer Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for the past two seasons. He previously spent 11 seasons as the Associate Head Coach at Colgate University.
“I would like to thank University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Athletic Director Mark Jackson and Senior Associate Athletic Director/SWA Lynn Tighe for their confidence in me as I embark on this incredible opportunity,” McLain said. “I can’t wait to work alongside these people and with the amazing staff that surrounds these student-athletes on a daily basis. I have been truly blessed to work at incredible academic institutions like Colgate University and The Ohio State University, and I am humbled by the opportunity to now lead the Villanova University Women’s Soccer Program.”
During his two seasons at Ohio State, McLain helped to elevate the Buckeyes back into a place of national prominence. The team advanced to the NCAA Tournament in both 2015 and 2016, reaching the Sweet 16 last year and the second round this season. Ohio State had a 24-14-6 overall record in his two seasons as an associate head coach on the coaching staff. The program was ranked in the top 30 of the RPI in each of McLain’s two years in Columbus, finishing at No. 27 this year and No. 21 last season.
Among the players that McLain worked with at Ohio State were 2016 seniors Lindsay Agnew and Nichelle Prince. Both are members of the Canadian Women’s National Team and were among the four Buckeyes who were named second team All-Big Ten selections this season. McLain was also instrumental in putting together Ohio State’s recruiting class which paid immediate dividends during the 2016 season. Freshman defender Haley Walker-Robinson started all 21 games for a Buckeyes defense which tallied six shutouts and surrendered fewer than five shots on goal per game.
Prior to his stint at Ohio State, McLain spent 11 years on the staff of a Colgate program that enjoyed an unprecedented level of success for a Patriot League program. The Raiders won more than 100 games during McLain’s time there, and the team captured five Patriot League regular season titles and three Patriot League tournament championships. McLain was a part of three NCAA Tournament berths with the Raiders, and in 2004 the program became the first from the Patriot League to win an NCAA Tournament game when Colgate knocked off nationally-ranked Pac-10 champion Arizona in the first round of the tournament. That was in McLain’s first season with the Raiders, when the team went 13-7-2 and won both the regular season and postseason Patriot League crowns.
McLain played a direct role in Colgate’s recruiting efforts as an associate head coach, and he was responsible for bringing three Patriot League Offensive Players of the Year, one league Defensive Player of the Year, six Patriot League Freshmen of the Year and three conference tournament MVPs into the program.
In addition to his assistant coaching stops at Colgate and Ohio State, McLain has two years of head coaching experience at his alma mater, Eastern Nazarene College, in Quincy, Mass. He led the Lions for the 2002 and 2003 seasons while coaching a young program that was only in its fifth year of existence when he took over as head coach.
McLain has also been heavily involved in soccer at the youth level and is active in the Olympic Development Program. He served on the Antigua National Team coaching staff in 2012 and the U-18 U.S. National Team staff in 2008. He holds an Advanced National Diploma from the National Soccer Coaching Association of America (NSCAA) and a U.S. Soccer Federation “A” Coaching License.
At Villanova, McLain will take over the reins of a program that has made six NCAA Tournament appearances (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2009) and won a BIG EAST championship in 2003. The Wildcats have an all-time record of 331-267-70 (.548) and have produced 19 winning seasons. Villanova has produced seven NSCAA All-Americans and 30 all-region performers over the years. The program has also won six major BIG EAST awards and had its student-athletes earn All-BIG EAST recognition 47 times.
“Villanova is clearly one of the top academic institutions in the country, if not the world,” McLain said. “To be a part of something this special almost doesn’t seem real. As we move forward, we will honor those that have been a part of this program’s past and embark on our journey to a National Championship. Without question, outside of getting married and the birth of my three amazing kids, this could go down as the most exciting day of my entire life. Honestly I don’t think enough people know how special this place really is. The faster I can get that secret out there, the sooner we will win a National Championship.”
McLain graduated from Eastern Nazarene with a degree in general sciences and a minor in Chemistry. He and his wife, Claire, are parents of three children: Maeghan, Gavin and Caitlin.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT NEW VILLANOVA HEAD COACH CHRIS MCLAIN
Gene Smith, Director of Athletics, The Ohio State University
“Chris and his family will make significant contributions to the Villanova family. Chris is an outstanding person, coach and leader! He will be missed by Ohio State, as his contributions helped bring our program back to prominence!”
Lori Walker, Head Coach, Women’s Soccer, The Ohio State University
“Chris McLain is an outstanding choice as Head Coach for Women’s Soccer at Villanova University. He has a contagious passion for competition and the game of soccer. He will organize the game into simplistic terms and challenge the thinking of young players to stretch their self- belief. He is a positive life force that will lead and influence young women to be successful in the classroom and on the field of play. He will attract recruits of high academic caliber and high soccer IQ. He will quickly challenge the race in the Big East Conference. I am so proud to have helped Chris transition from Associate Head Coach at The Ohio State University to Head Coach at Villanova University. It will be exciting to watch him grow in this next phase of his life and career.“
Kathy Brawn, Head Coach, Women’s Soccer, Colgate University
“I am genuinely happy for Chris and his family. Villanova is a great fit in every way. Equally important is the fact that Mark Jackson and the Wildcats have just hired an astute, dedicated and talented coach to lead their women's soccer program. In Chris McLain they are getting a true winner.”
Stefanie Golan, Head Coach, Women’s Soccer, University of Minnesota
"Chris McLain is a fantastic hire for Villanova. I have known Chris for the past 10 years, first when he was at Colgate while I was at West Point and we competed in the Patriot League. Then I moved to Minnesota and he came to Ohio State, and we competed once again in the Big Ten. Chris has an incredible work ethic and isn't afraid to grind. His ability to recruit players who aren't just going to elevate the level of the program, but who are also going to be a great fit at his institution in all facets of life, is second to none. Chris knows how to teach the game and knows how to connect with his players, and both are essential to building a program that can have sustained success. It is no coincidence that programs have experienced a great deal of success with Chris on staff, and I am so excited to watch him build Villanova into a contender within the BIG EAST Conference and on a national scale. Chris and his family will be a great addition for Villanova."
Dean Duerst, Associate Head Coach, Women’s Soccer, University of Michigan
“I’ve known Chris since the days he was at Colgate. I knew what kind of things he did there and I’m not surprised that it translated extremely well to The Ohio State. I'm really happy to see that he is moving on with a tremendous opportunity to coach at one of the top universities in the country. Chris has great passion and understanding of the game. He has an incredible ability to motivate his players. Chris is just a fantastic teacher. He brings so much to the table. Villanova hit a home run with this hire.”
Ian Stone, Head Coach, Women’s Soccer, St. John’s University
“I have known Chris McLain for over 10 years. I have a great deal of respect for his immense knowledge of the game, his relentless recruiting, and his phenomenal coaching ability. I welcome him to the BIG EAST Conference.”
Eric Bell, Head Coach, Women’s Soccer, Texas Christian University
“What a fantastic hire this is for Villanova. They hit a home run with this one. I don’t know if there is a better fit than Chris McLain. Chris has prepared for this opportunity and is ready to take the Villanova women’s soccer program to new heights. I’m very happy for Villanova but more importantly Chris and his family. They will be a great addition the Villanova family.”
Lindsay Agnew, Team Captain, The Ohio State University, Canadian Women’s National Team
“When Chris arrived from Colgate, he completely changed the culture and behavior of our program here at OSU. He gave our team a new identity and introduced ideas and concepts that only professional coaches teach. Many things I learned with the National Team were taught on a daily basis at training. Something that he brings that I believe is rare in a college coach is that he truly cares about developing players and expanding their soccer knowledge. Personally, Chris changed my whole college career. If I have a daughter who wants to play Division I soccer, I would send my daughter to whatever team he was coaching because I know he is a classy, honest, professional coach that would surely have success and create an overall great college soccer experience for her.”
Nichelle Prince, The Ohio State University, Canadian Women’s National Team
“Chris McLain came to Ohio State with a mission to better the program, and in only two years, it is crystal clear that that is what he has done. What makes him such a talented and effective coach is not only his love for the game, but also his willingness to teach and develop players. I am fortunate to have been taught by a coach of Chris’s caliber and plan to take everything I have learned from him into my professional career.”
Alexis Panepinto, Team Captain, Colgate University
“The true measure of a coach is the impact he has, not only on his program, but more importantly his players. So, I can tell you about the wins, the championship, the accolades, the countless hours of film, one- on- ones, and technical trainings with Chris during my time at Colgate, but I don’t think any of that is as important as his infectious passion for the game, undeniable drive, and competitive nature. He only ever wants the best out of and for his players. I owe much of my growth and success as a player, and person, all to Chris.”