Ex-player Riley named Notre Dame men's soccer coach

Former Dartmouth men's head coach and Notre Dame soccer player Chad Riley was named Notre Dame's men's head coach on Thursday.

Riley replaces long-time coach Bobby Clark, who retired in November after 17 seasons.

For the past five seasons, Riley has been the head men's coach at Dartmouth, compiling a record of 51-26-14 and winning Ivy League titles in each of the last four seasons. In three of those four years, Riley received Ivy League Coach of the Year honors, including winning the award unanimously in 2017.

Before that, Riley played for Clark in 2001-03, Clark's first three seasons as head coach at Notre Dame, and still ranks second all-time in assists in Notre Dame history, posting 32 in 78 games.

Following his playing career, Riley spent one season each at Oberlin College in Ohio (2004) and at St. John's (2005) as an assistant coach. He then returned to Notre Dame in 2006, working for six seasons as an assistant coach under Clark. During that time, the Irish posted a 71-37-21 record, capturing two Big East titles and making five NCAA Championship appearances.

“We are going to be an ambitious program and will build on the wonderful legacy that Coach Clark has left behind," Riley said after being officially introduced as head coach. "Our aim is now to take Notre Dame soccer to new heights, and I simply can’t wait to get started.”