Chris Whalley Named Milwaukee Men's Soccer Coach

Chris Whalley has been named the new head coach of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team, Director of Athletics George Koonce announced today.

Whalley, the sixth head coach in school history, comes to Milwaukee after a highly-successful stint as the head coach at Lees-McRae College in North Carolina.

This past season, Whalley led the Bobcats to the NCAA Division II national championship game while his team ranked eighth in the nation in scoring offense (2.74 goals per game) and ninth nationally in team defense (0.72 goals against).

In five seasons at Lees-McRae, Whalley compiled a 72-22-12 record.

"I am extremely excited to take over such a prestigious program that has had such fantastic success over the years," Whalley said. "I am hoping we can work very hard to help the team improve and take the program back to its place of prominence in the city, state and nationally."

"Chris is a bright and energetic young coach who brings a great track record of success to Milwaukee," Koonce said. "I am confident he will do an excellent job in leading our men's soccer program."

In leading Lees-McRae to the national-title game this past season, Whalley helped the Bobcats to an 18-3-2 overall mark and a number-one ranking during the year. In fact, he has directed his teams to the last three regular-season conference titles and a pair of league tournament championships. Plus, in addition to the run to the national final in 2009, the Bobcats advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2008 and the Elite Eight in 2007.

He has won almost 85-percent of his games the past three seasons, including a 21-win campaign in 2007. Plus, in that same span, his teams have gone 26-2-2 in league play.

Whalley's incredible success has been recognized when post-season awards are handed out, as he is a two-time honoree as Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year as well as being named the NSCAA Southeast Region Coach of the Year in 2007. His players have also been recognized regularly, as he has coached nine All-Americans, 21 all-region performers and 10 players that have gone on to play professionally.

In addition to his post with the Bobcats, Whalley served as the head coach of the West Virginia Chaos in the USL Premier Development League.

He joined the coaching staff at Lees-McRae as an assistant after a successful playing career with the Reading Rage of the United State Pro-Select League.

Born in Lincoln, England, Whalley played collegiately at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Penn., reaching the NCAA Tournament twice - including the Final Four in 2002.

"I am excited to make the move to division one and a bigger school," Whalley said. "There will be new challenges for me at UWM but I am very proud of the body of work I have at Lees-McRae. I am looking forward to connecting with the players, alumni and the soccer community of Milwaukee."

Courtesy of UWM Athletics