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Coaches

Head Coach: Todd West (George Mason, '88)
Assistant Coaches: Gary Kingsley (George Mason, `86), Nick Stames (George Mason, '86)
Graduate Manager: Jeff Kinney (American '03)

Todd West Position: Head Coach Alma Mater : George Mason '88 Experience: Fourth Season

A poised leader with a vision for raising American University’s men’s soccer to one of the elite programs in collegiate soccer, Todd West embarks on his fourth season as the Eagles’ head coach and eighth overall with the program.

"I am thrilled for the opportunity to lead this program, one that will compete to advance to the NCAA tournament for several years to come,” West said. “It is our intent to be a strong representative of the Patriot League and carry on our tradition of quality soccer and sportsmanship.”

West has quickly fashioned the program in his own image - tireless, fiery, and competitive - while still playing with the utmost professionalism. He has guided the Eagles to back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament in just three years as head coach at AU.

In an up-and-down season, the 2002 Eagles finished 13-7-2 record. American went 4-2-1 in the Patriot League as the conference placed three teams in the NCAA Tournament. The Eagles were ranked nationally most of the season and achieved a ranking as high as No. 11. American defeated No. 9 Boston College and No. 18 Penn State as AU played one of the most challenging schedules in the country. The Eagles won the D.C. College Cup for the second year in a row and also claimed the Penn State/Nike Classic.

AU was awarded an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament and hosted George Washington in the NCAA First Round on Reeves Field. The Eagles defeated the Colonials, 1-0, before falling to Maryland in the second round by a 1-0 score.

In just his second season as head coach, he guided the Eagles to the 2001 Patriot League championship; a berth in the NCAA Tournament where the club advanced to the Sweet 16; and a final national ranking of 14.

Continuing AU’s outstanding tradition in NCAA Tournament play, West and his charges did not disappoint. American advanced to the Sweet 16 where it fell to eventual national champion North Carolina, 1-0, in overtime. The Eagles advanced after dispatching Ohio State, 2-1, and Wake Forest, 3-0, in the opening two rounds.

American finished 2001 with a 13-8-2 overall record and a 6-1-0 mark in Patriot League play. The Eagles claimed the league’s automatic berth in the NCAAs after advancing past Holy Cross in the championship game on penalties, 4-3. It was American’s inaugural season as a member of the Patriot League.

West faced a challenging first season as head coach in the year 2000, when American played a schedule that was rated in the top-five nationally. The Eagles finished 7-9-2 overall, but came on strong late, posting wins in four of their final five matches. American also battled to an impressive 5-2-1 finish in the nationally-recognized Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), their final season as a member of the conference.

In addition to his duties at American, West was named an assistant coach of the U-20 U.S. National Team in May of 2002. He served under head coach Thomas Rongen, with whom he has had a long relationship. West also served as an assistant coach under Rongen with D.C. United, a three-time Major League Soccer (MLS) champion. While with United, West assisted in match preparation, player development, training sessions and scouting.

Before taking over the AU program, West spent four seasons as an assistant to former head coach Bob Jenkins. His tenure during that run was highlighted by the Eagles’ trip to the 1997 NCAA Quarterfinals and a No. 5 national ranking.

West’s career began as a stellar high school, club, and Olympic Development Program (ODP) coach in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. He served as the head boy’s coach at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 1993 to 1996, where he compiled a record of 47-13-6. His 1995 team captured the Virginia State Championship and finished with a No. 12 national ranking in the final poll. For his efforts, he was named 1995 NSCAA Virginia State Coach of the Year.

One of the most accomplished youth club coaches in Virginia, West has been associated with the state’s ODP since 1992. In 1998, West coached the 1983 Virginia state team to an undefeated season and won the Region I ODP Championship. West was recently named an assistant coach on the U.S. Region I U-15 team and he holds a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) National “A” Coaching Liscence.

A top-level student-athlete during his playing career, West is a 1988 graduate of George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. where he was a four-year starter for the Patriots and received a bachelor of science in physical education and business. During his career at George Mason, West played in three NCAA tournaments and helped the program capture three CAA Championships. George Mason finished in the top 20 three times during his collegiate career.

A native of Dallas, Texas, West currently resides in Fairfax, Va., with his wife, Samira (Sam), and daughters, Kyra and Zoe.

The West File
Head Coach - American University
YEAR	ALL	CONF.	HIGHLIGHT
2002	13-7-2	4-2-1 PL	Second-place finish in Patriot League NCAA At-Large Berth NCAA Second Round
2001	13-8-2	7-1-1 PL	Patriot League Champions; Advanced to NCAA Sweet 16 #14 National Ranking
2000	7-9-2	5-2-1 CAA	Won four of last five matches; placed 3rd in CAA
Assistant Coach - American University
YEAR	ALL	CONF.	HIGHLIGHT
1999	9-9-1	5-2-1 CAA	Defeated #7 VCU; tied for 3rd in CAA, picked 8th
1998	7-14-1	1-8-0 CAA	Upset #3 Virginia; Had 12 one-goal games
1997	17-4-4	6-0-2 CAA	NCAA Quarterfinalists; CAA Reg. Season Champ., #5 Ranking, Undefeated at home
1996	12-8-1	5-3-0 CAA	Nine-game unbeaten streak