COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – Ursinus Director of Athletics Erin Stroble announced Wednesday the hiring of Daniel Clitnovici the new head Men's Soccer Coach. Clitnovici comes to Ursinus after recently serving as the head coach for Atlantic City FC of the NPSL as well as spending five seasons as the associate head coach of the Villanova University Women's Soccer Team.
"We are thrilled to welcome Coach Clitnovici to Ursinus College," Stroble said. "Daniel impressed us during the interview process as uniquely qualified to continue the growth and recent success of our program, while building a competitive and positive team culture."
Clitnovici wrapped up his time as a member of the Villanova Wildcats Women's Soccer Coaching staff after the Fall 2021 season. He helped lead the 2019 squad to its first winning season in 15 years and an appearance in the Semifinals of the Big East Tournament. Clitnovici was promoted to interim head coach prior to the start of the 2021 campaign. Prior to Villanova, Clitnovici spent a season with the Ohio State University Women's Soccer team and helped guide the team to the second round of the NCAA Tournament while serving as a recruiting coordinator for two different regions of the country.
Along with his coaching on the collegiate level, Clitnovici owns 15 years of professional coaching experience a various stops. He served as the head coach of the Colorado Rapids Women from 2011 through 2014 and was the assistant coach of the Western New York Flash from 2015 to 2016. Clitnovici was also the WNY Flash Academy Director of Coaching and represented the team during the 2016 NWSL Draft as the interim head coach. Clitnovici led the Colorado Rapids MLS U-20 team to the USL U-20 national championship in 2012, while being named USL W-League Coach of the year in 2014 after leading w-league expansion side Colorado Pride to a Western Conference Championship final appearance.
He replaces Keith Cappo, who spent the past six seasons as the Bears head coach.
"I am extremely excited to join the Ursinus College family and lead the Men's soccer program while creating a culture of excellence both on and off the field," Clitnovici said. "Ursinus is a special place and I feel extremely fortunate to be offered this opportunity. I do want to thank Coach Keith Cappo for leaving the program in such a strong place and I'm excited to get to work with the team and continue to push the program forward. Everyone I have met throughout the process has been incredible and genuine, and I cannot thank Laura Moliken, Erin Stroble, Kevin Small and the rest of the search committee enough for affording me this opportunity. My family and I are grateful and very excited for this next chapter."
Before beginning his coaching career, Clitnovici spent over 10 years playing professional soccer, including time with Gold Coast United FC in Australia, Universitatea Craiova in Romania, Barnsley FC in England and Apollon Athinon in Greece. In his final professional season Clitnovici played in Spain for Elche CF and CF Illicitano in the Spanish segunda division.
Clitnovici is a native of Australia and holds a Bachelor in Exercise Science along with coaching licensing of the United States Soccer Federation "A" License and European UEFA "A" License as well as a United States Soccer Federation Director of Coaching License.