AMHERST, N.Y. - Director of Athletics Bridget Niland announced today that Bobby McColl has been selected to become the fifth head coach in the history of the men's soccer program at Daemen College.

"Daemen Athletics is excited to start this new chapter for our men's soccer program with our first-ever full-time coach," Niland said.  "Bobby McColl's vision for building a competitive NCAA Division II program became clear throughout the interview process.  His ties to Buffalo and understanding of East Coast Conference competitors will be of great value to our men's soccer student-athletes and our entire athletics program.  Much lies ahead for our men's soccer program under his leadership."

A native of Glasgow, Scotland, McColl brings six years of collegiate coaching experience to the position, including the last four as a head coach (45-26-8 career record).  Most recently, McColl served as the head women's soccer coach at Roberts Wesleyan College, leading that program to a 35-20-5 overall record in three seasons at the helm which notably came during RWC's ascent to the NCAA Division II level of competition.  This past season was the brightest of McColl's tenure, leading the Redhawks to the championship game of the East Coast Conference Tournament, and an at-large berth in the NCAA Division II National Championships while achieving an overall record of 12-5-3.

McColl's hiring at Daemen brings him back to the men's side of the sport which he's not unfamiliar with.  McColl earned his first head coaching opportunity with the men's team at Greenville College (Ill.) in 2012, leading that NCAA Division III program to an overall mark of 10-6-3 and a second-place finish in the Saint Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with a league record of 5-0-3.  In addition to his duties with the men's team at GC, he also served as the top assistant with the Panthers' women's team that season.

Prior to his two head coaching stints, McColl cut his teeth as an assistant coach with both the men's and women's programs at Roberts Wesleyan from 2010-11.  He's also worked as an assistant coach with the Rochester Ravens of the United Soccer Leagues' W-League, a North American women's soccer developmental organization, as well as with the Western New York Olympic Development program.

"I would like to thank President Gary Olson and Athletics Director Bridget Niland for this fantastic opportunity," McColl said.  "I am excited to work under Bridget's leadership and I look forward to joining the Daemen Athletics family.  My wife and I are happy to be returning to Buffalo where I've spent some time previously, and where she is from.  I'm excited to begin working with the team and I believe there is great potential for growth and success within the program."

McColl holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sports and Wellness Management from Trinity International University (Ill.), which he attained in 2009.  He later added a Master of Science Degree in Strategic Leadership from Roberts Wesleyan.  McColl competed for three seasons at Union University (Tenn.) before finishing his collegiate career at Trinity International.  He holds additional playing experience with the Scotland under-19 national team, as well as with Motherwell F.C. in the Scottish Premier League.

McColl replaces Dan Dolan as the leader of Daemen's men's soccer team which went 2-13-1 last fall in Dolan's first season.  He remains on staff as Daemen's head women's soccer coach, a post he's held since the 2009 season, leading that program to a 67-61-4 mark in seven seasons.

For the latest information on Daemen Athletics and the Daemen men's soccer team follow us on Twitter (@DaemenAthletics / @DaemenMSOC) or go to daemenwildcats.com.



What People Are Saying About Bobby McColl...

"Daemen is lucky to have landed Bobby McColl.  He has established himself as one of the most promising young coaches in the East Coast Conference and has a fantastic career ahead of him.  His hard work and passion reflects down to his players, and he will bring this attitute to Daemen's Athletic Department and the men's soccer team.  It took me eight years to build a program and reach my first NCAA tournament.  It took Bobby a mere three years in Division II to take his team there.  I wish him the best of luck in the future.
Magnus Nilerud
Head Women's Soccer Coach - University of Bridgeport


"I've known Bobby for several years now and have found him to be a fantastic coach and an even better person.  He's young, intelligent, energetic and relates well to his players.  He's had a lot of success here at Roberts Wesleyan and took the women's team to their first-ever NCAA Division II national tournament this past season.  He will be greatly missed and I'm confident that he'll do well, and I wish him nothing but the best."
Scott Reber
Head Men's Soccer Coach - Roberts Wesleyan College


"Our games against Bobby's teams the last few years have always been competitive and enjoyable.  He is an outstanding coach and an even better person to lead our men's team up the ladder in the East Coast Conference.  I'm excited to have him on board."
Dan Dolan
Head Women's Soccer Coach - Daemen College