Dan Donigan, the 2006 Atlantic 10 Conference Coach of the Year, was named as only the fifth head coach in Saint Louis University men's soccer history on Feb. 15, 2001. He has established himself as one of the bright coaching stars in NCAA Division I men's soccer. Donigan has posted a 79-28-13 (.713) record in six seasons while leading the Billikens to the NCAA Tournament in four of those seasons. His teams claimed three consecutive Conference USA championships (2001-04) and back-to-back A-10 regular-season championships (2006-07). Both his inaugural Billiken squad in 2001 and his 2003 side each reached the NCAA quarterfinals, while his second edition in 2002 advanced to the NCAA Tournament's third round. Last season, Donigan's Billikens returned to the NCAA Tournament after finishing the season with a 13-5-2 record and a 8-0-1 mark in the A-10. Despite missing out on the league's automatic NCAA Tournament bid, SLU was selected as the 11th seed in the NCAA Tournament and earned a first-round bye. The 79 wins in Donigan's first six seasons are the best by a Billikens' head coach. He finished 18-2-0 in his debut, which was the finest record posted by a Billikens' first-year head coach. His 10-0-0 start was tops by a first-year coach in the Billikens' storied history. Two of Donigan's first four seasons resulted in coaching honors. He was Conference USA's 2001 Coach of the Year. The NSCAA named Donigan Midwest Region Coach of the Year in 2003. Donigan's fifth season featured a Billiken squad that made a successful transition into the Atlantic 10 Conference. As the team enters its third season in the league, it is still searching for the elusive A-10 Tournament title. "This conference is tougher than what most people perceive it to be," Donigan said. "Our goal every years is to do well in the regular season and take the post season tourney. Donigan worked his way through the ranks to become the Bills' leader. He joined the Billiken coaching staff as an assistant in 1997 after three seasons as the top assistant at his alma mater, the University of Connecticut. He helped lead the Billikens to four NCAA Tournament bids, including a 1997 final four appearance, two Conference USA regular season championships and two C-USA postseason crowns. He expects the Billiken program to maintain its position among the nation's elite. "We expect to compete for the Atlantic 10 championship each year, because that is how you earn your way into the NCAA Tournament," Donigan said. "After that, our ultimate goal is a national championship to add to the record number of titles at SLU. "Academically, we expect to graduate our players within four or five years. We will maximize a player's potential to get the most out of him, because every team gives Saint Louis University its best shot." Donigan has vast experience as both a player and coach. He holds a USSF "A" coaching license as well as his NSCAA Advanced National Coaching Diploma. He also was one of the most heralded collegiate soccer players in the nation during his four-year career at Connecticut. "The history of this program and the previous players who have been involved speak for themselves," Donigan said. "St. Louis has been a soccer hotbed. We believe we can compete for a national championship every time we step on the field, and you have to shoot for the top." The 41-year-old Donigan began his collegiate coaching career in 1994 when he returned to UConn, but he had been on the staff of camps and Olympic development programs for several years. He also had served as president and director of Donigan and Robinson Soccer Camps for five years. He learned a great deal from legendary UConn coach Joe Morrone and former Billiken mentor Bob Warming. "I know what it takes to run a top 10 program," Donigan said. "As a coach, I understand the inner workings of a top-notch program. The success that both Coach Morrone and Coach Warming enjoyed speaks for itself." A member of the U.S. Soccer Federation's national staff of coaches, he is certified to assist with coaching courses. He joined the national staff in 2002. Donigan's wealth of talent is evident every day. "The fact that I can still play the game at a reasonable level allows me to participate in the practice and training sessions," Donigan explained. "It's good for the players to see actual demonstrations on the field. I can get coaching principles across to the team. "Having played at both college and pro, I've been exposed to a variety of strategies that can be implemented at this level," he said. "I've been exposed to all aspects of the game of soccer on every level. "Running camps taught me administrative responsibilities. I learned to be open to new ideas and new ways of teaching or implementing strategies." Prior to his selection as assistant coach at UConn, Donigan was playing professionally as a member of the Milwaukee Wave (NPSL) and of the Rockford Raptors (U.S. Interregional Soccer League). He also served as a corporate sales representative for the Wave, capitalizing upon the business administration degree he earned at UConn in 1993. He earned his master's degree in higher education at Saint Louis University in 2005. Donigan began playing professionally in 1990. His past teams include the Wichita Wings and St. Louis Storm, St. Louis Ambush and St. Louis Steamers, and outdoor teams such as the Boston Bolts, Penn-Jersey Spirit and Tampa Bay Rowdies. While at UConn from 1985-88, Donigan was a three-time All-American and first-team All-New England forward. He received the adidas Adi Dasslar Award as the nation's "Most Outstanding Senior Soccer Player" in 1988. He also was one of 11 players selected as a 1988 Soccer America MVP, registering team highs of 11 goals and 11 assists while leading UConn to its third NCAA Tournament berth in four seasons. An All-America pick his last three seasons, Donigan was a finalist for Missouri Athletic Club Player of the Year honors as a junior and senior. He also was selected as the Big East Conference Northern Division Player of the Year for his final two seasons. As part of the Big East's 10-year anniversary in 1991, Donigan was further honored by his selection as the Big East Player of the Decade. Donigan finished his Huskies career with 35 goals and 40 assists for 110 points. In the Connecticut record book, he ranks fifth in all-time scoring, third in career assists and sixth in career goals.
Donigan's Career Head Coaching Record
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