Men's Soccer Adds Robert Craig to Staff
February 21, 2007 | Men's Soccer
Feb. 21, 2007
Louisville, Ky. - Robert Craig, former head coach at Saint Francis University for the past three seasons, has been named to the University of Louisville's men's soccer staff by Cardinal head coach Ken Lolla. Craig replaces former assistant Mike Avery, who left to become the head coach at Valpariso University in January.
"We are very excited about the addition of BJ Craig to our staff," said head coach Ken Lolla. "BJ is a person of great character and integrity as well as having tremendous experience in Division I soccer as an assistant as well as a head coach. He has built a successful program at Saint Francis in a short time and that experience will significantly benefit the growth of our program in the pursuit of our goals."
Craig guided his 2006 Saint Francis squad to the school's first-ever appearance in the Northeast Conference championship match. He led the Red Flash to a 10-7-3 mark, tying a school record, which was previously set in Craig's second season with the program in 2004. In four seasons with Saint Francis, Craig recorded a 31-31-13 career mark, which is second on the school's all-time coaching wins list. He led the Red Flash to its first two NEC Tournament appearances.
Craig joined the Red Flash staff after serving as an assistant coach at Dartmouth College from 1998-2003. In the fall of 2002, he helped lead the perennial Ivy League power to a conference championship and a 9-7-1 final record. The Big Green posted a 5-1-1 league mark and finished the 2002 season ranked third in the Northeast Region. Craig also helped direct the Big Green to an NCAA Tournament berth in 2000.
Prior to joining the Dartmouth staff, Craig served as an assistant coach at his alma mater Gordon College in Wenham, Mass., from 1995-96. During his tenure at Gordon, the Fighting Scots posted a 30-8-4 record and qualified for the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Tournament both seasons.
Craig is a 1993 graduate of Gordon College with a bachelor's degree in mathematics. He lettered four seasons for Gordon College, helping lead them to a Commonwealth Coast Conference championship in 1992. Craig earned a master's degree in education from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 1997. He is a member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and holds a USSF B License.
