Dowling Joins Cardinals as Men’s Soccer Goalkeepers Coach
July 31, 2018 | Men's Soccer
Dowling arrives in Louisville after three seasons at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville men's soccer head coach Ken Lolla announced Tuesday the hiring of assistant coach Donovan Dowling, who will serve as the goalkeepers coach for the Cardinals.
Dowling arrives in Louisville following three seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, where he assisted in restarting the men's soccer program in 2015. Along with his duties at UTRGV, Dowling also served as goalkeepers coach for Rio Grande Valley FC in the United Soccer League from 2016-18.
"We are excited to have Donovan Dowling join our Cardinals soccer family," Lolla said. "He is regarded as one of the top goalkeeper trainers in the country and possesses the character values our program promotes. He is a winner and will help us reach our goals."
While at UTGRV, Donovan served as the top assistant coach for three seasons where he coached the goalkeepers and was directly involved in numerous phases of the program, which dissolved following the 1998 season. The Vaqueros showed notable improvement during the first three seasons increasing their win total and RPI each year.
In addition to his duties at UTRGV, Dowling was the goalkeepers coach with Rio Grande Valley, which finished second in the USL Western Conference in 2016. Dowling worked under current Houston Dynamo head coach Wilmer Cabrera in 2016 and under current LA Galaxy assistant coach Junior Gonzalez in 2017. Overall, 11 players from RGVFC have signed MLS contracts since 2016.
"I am excited to begin working with the UofL men's soccer program. Coach Lolla and his staff have built a top level program that consistently competes for championships year in and year out," Donovan said. "I understand the responsibility that comes with representing Louisville men's soccer and I am eager to begin."
Prior to helping restart the program at UTRGV, Dowling coached at Northeast Texas Community College, where he served as the head coach of the men's and women's soccer programs for two years. He led the men's team to a program-best 17-4-2 record in 2014, with a ranking as high as No. 4 in the nation en route to an NJCAA Tournament berth. For his efforts, Dowling was a finalist for National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) National Coach of the Year. In 2013, the men's team was one of the most improved teams in the NJCAA with a 14-7 record, compared to a 5-14-1 record the season prior to his arrival.
Dowling also was an assistant coach with the Midland/Odessa Sockers FC in the USL Premier Developmental League (PDL) during the 2014 season, helping lead the team to an organizational best 7-4-3 record and second place finish in the Mid-South Division. During his time there, Dowling assisted in all aspects of coaching, including the recruitment of players, on-field coaching, scouting of opponents, and organization of summer camps.
From 2011-12, Dowling helped start the first-ever men's soccer program at Fort Hays State University as an assistant coach. In 2011, the inaugural team finished 11-5-2, while receiving votes in the NSCAA Top 25 poll. In 2012, the team did one better, as Dowling helped lead the Tigers to an 11-6-2 record, along with the program's first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament, advancing all the way to the Sweet 16. The Tigers were ranked for the majority of the 2012 season, with a high of No. 9 in the nation.
Dowling coached from 2009-11 with the Fort Wayne Fever as the Director of Goalkeeping for the entire club, while also serving as the assistant coach for the 93' and 95' Fever boys' teams. Both of his Fever teams were Indiana State Cup Finalists and Midwest Regional League Champions. Dowling was then involved in the Kansas Olympic Developmental Program from 2011-13.
A goalkeeper, Dowling played collegiately at the NCAA Division I level at IPFW, where, as a two-year starter, he set program records for goals against average and shutouts in a season while earning All-Summit League honors. He played his first two collegiate seasons at Barton County Community College, where he was a Third Team All-American and First Team NSCAA All-Region and All-Conference honoree, leading his team to the No. 2 ranking in the nation while serving as the sophomore captain. A two-year starter, Dowling compiled a 39-4-2 record during his career.
Dowling then went on to play four professional seasons in the PDL, three of which were with the Kansas City Brass, and one of which was with the Springfield Demize.
A native of Olathe, Kan., Dowling earned his Bachelor of General Studies from Indiana University and added a Master of Science in Sports and Human Performance from Fort Hays State. Dowling assumes the role previously held by Danny Cepero, who recently accepted as position as Future Academy Goalkeeper Coach for New York City FC.
The Cardinals officially report to campus to begin preseason training on Monday before competing in a pair of exhibition matches against Indiana on Aug. 15 in Westfield, Indiana and against Evansville on Aug. 18 at Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium. Louisville will kick off the 2018 season against St. Bonaventure on Aug. 24 at 7:30 p.m., ET at Lynn Stadium.
Fans can follow Louisville men's soccer on Twitter at @UofLmenssoccer and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/UofLmenssoccer.
2018 LOUISVILLE SOCCER TICKETS
Season tickets and single match tickets for the 2018 University of Louisville soccer season are on sale now through the Louisville Cardinals Ticket Office. The 2018 Louisville soccer tickets can be purchased online at GoCards.com/soccertickets.
Single match tickets are priced at $12 per ticket for reserved chairback seats, $6 per ticket for general admission/berm seats and $4 per ticket for groups of 10 or more. Reserved chairback tickets are priced at $100 for adults, $320 for the Family Four Pack and $80 for faculty/staff. General admission/berm seating is priced at $50 for adults, $200 for the Family Four Pack and $50 for faculty/staff.
Season tickets packages include all UofL men's and women's soccer regular season matches at Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium. For more information on Louisville soccer season tickets, visit GoCards.com/soccertickets, call 502-GO-CARDS or email tickets@gocards.com.
