O'Leary steps down at Bowdoin to accept post with Toronto FC
BRUNSWICK, Maine - The Bowdoin
College Athletic Department has announced that Fran O'Leary
will be stepping down as head coach of the men's soccer program to
join Toronto FC of Major League Soccer.
On Monday, O'Leary accepted the position of Assistant Coach and
Director of Player Recruitment with Toronto FC. He will serve under
new head coach Ryan Nelsen. Bowdoin will begin a national search
for his replacement.
One of the most distinguished coaches in program history, O'Leary
came to Bowdoin in the summer of 2005 and led the Polar Bears to
unprecedented success. The two best seasons in program history came
under the Dublin, Ireland native, as the squad posted an 11-4-2
mark and an NCAA Tournament berth in 2009. They followed it up with
an outstanding 15-2-4 mark in 2010, which included the team's
first-ever NCAA Tournament victory and appearance in the Division
III Final Four.
Over the course of his seven seasons, O'Leary accumulated a record
of 74-39-14, boasting a winning percentage of .638. Prior to
Bowdoin, O'Leary also enjoyed successful coaching stints at
Dartmouth, George Mason and Elmira.
"Toronto is a fantastic opportunity to stretch myself as a coach,"
says O'Leary. "However, it was still an incredibly difficult
decision given how much fulfillment I have received coaching at
Bowdoin. I do not have the words to do justice to my feelings about
our team and the school."
"Although we are sorry to see Fran leave, we are excited for this
new opportunity for him and his family," says Interim Director of
Athletics Tim Ryan. "He is obviously a fantastic coach but is also
a valued member of our Department and College community. We
wish him the best of luck in Toronto."
