TurnkeyZRG Seeking Men’s Soccer Coach for Fairfield University
December 8, 2023 – TurnkeyZRG has been retained by Fairfield University to lead in its search for a new men’s head soccer coach. Katy Young Staudt is leading the assignment. Carl Rees is stepping down as the head coach. He is the winningest coach in Fairfield and MAAC men’s soccer history with a record of 252-184-70 (.567) in 28 seasons leading the Stags. To find Mr. Rees’ replacement, TurnkeyZRG is seeking candidates with a minimum of three to five years of collegiate coaching experience along with demonstrated management, organizational and leadership skills is required. Demonstrated coaching license/certification is preferred.
The head coach will be responsible for directing all phases of a championship-caliber Division I men’s soccer program within the NCAA and Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, with an expectation to compete and succeed at the regional and national levels. the head coach must operate within the framework of NCAA and conference rules and governance, consistent with the goals and objectives of the university and the department of athletics.
Some other duties for the head coach include overseeing and participating in the effective recruitment of student-athletes in collaboration with the office of admissions and office of financial aid. This leader is in charge of preparing the team for competition during a traditional and non-traditional season as well as overseeing and providing counseling, training and conditioning of student-athletes. The coach is responsible for fostering a supportive team culture that maximizes success on and off the playing field as well as helping to maintain the academic progress of all student-athletes through interaction with student-athlete success staff and faculty athletics representative.
The Fairfield Stags men’s soccer program first began in 1964. Fairfield University Athletic Hall of Famer James Kuhlmann was the founding coach who dedicated himself to the university and the development of the program over the next 24 years. Over the past decade the Stags have been ranked among the nation’s elite programs having produced seven NSCAA regional all-Americans and achieved seven winning seasons, including double-digit win totals in five of the last 10 campaigns.
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Founded in 1996, TurnkeyZRG is a specialized talent recruitment/executive search firm filling C-level, senior-level and mid-management-level positions throughout sports, media and entertainment. Over the past 25 years, the firm has filled more than 1,400 positions. TurnkeyZRG helps teams, leagues, stadiums, arenas, theaters, college athletic departments, events, sponsors, agencies, media companies, private equity companies and other clients identify, recruit, and hire the best management talent.
TurnkeyZRG Recruits CEO for the United States Soccer Federation
TurnkeyZRG has assisted in the recruitment of former media, advertising, and technology executive J.T. Batson as the new CEO of the United States Soccer Federation, the national governing body for the sport of soccer. Current CEO Will Wilson announced he will be stepping down at the end of October to pursue new professional ventures and opportunities. “JT is uniquely qualified for this position as a person who has vast experience working with large, complex organizations as well as an understanding of the intricate workings of modern business,” said Cindy Parlow Cone, president of U.S. Soccer. “He also has a passion for soccer born out of playing and growing up in a generation that saw a massive growth of the sport in the U.S. His energy, leadership, creative thinking and personal connection to seeing U.S. Soccer and the sport thrive will be a huge positive for the future of our federation overall.”
Len Perna is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Turnkey. He has 30-plus years’ experience in the sports and entertainment industry, with senior-level management experience in sales, event marketing and management, sponsorships, venue feasibility and development, facility operations, licensing, and legal affairs. Since founding Turnkey, Mr. Perna has managed over 1,400 executive searches.
Ms. Young Staudt is TurnkeyZRG’s vice president of college & coaching. For 18 years, she has supported 200+ searches for Division I head coaches, athletic directors, and administrators at institutions such as Yale, Texas Tech, Ole Miss, Cal, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Fresno State, Bucknell, Fairfield, Cleveland State, Tulsa, TCU, and Johns Hopkins, among others. Ms. Young Staudt has also been a talent recruiter for Ventura Partners, WittKieffer, and the sports search firm Eastman & Beaudine. Notably, she also ran talent acquisition & recruiting for Learfield. Ms. Young Staudt has also held the roles of assistant athletics director, marketing for the University of California–Riverside, and vice president of business development for a foundation management company specializing in 501c3 charity events for coaches.
Recent Search
Following an extensive search, TurnkeyZRG has recruited Keith Tyburski as the men’s golf coach at Yale University in Connecticut. Colin Sheehan, who coached the team since 2008, stepped down from the role this spring to pursue other golf endeavors. “We conducted a national search to find a coach that will continue the strong legacy of Yale men’s golf while giving our student-athletes a best-in-class experience,” said Victoria Chun, the university’s director of athletics. “One of Keith’s greatest strengths lies in his unwavering commitment to building a culture where student-athletes can thrive both academically and athletically. I am excited for Keith and his fiancée, Kate, to meet the alumni and the wonderful community at Yale and New Haven.”
“Yale made an outstanding hire with Keith Tyburski,” said Shaun Richard, executive associate athletic director at The Ohio State University. “Keith is an excellent coach, a dynamic leader, and a true mentor to young people. During my time with Keith at Colgate, I saw first-hand how he can elevate a program. Yale student-athletes, alumni, and faculty are going to love getting to know him and his infectious personality. I’m excited to watch this program quickly grow under his leadership.”
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
