Daniel Clitnovici (Clitno-vich)
Coach Clitnovici brings more than 15 years of professional coaching experience to Collegeville with College Soccer experience from stints at Atlantic City FC in 2022 (Head Coach), Villanova University from 2017-2022 (Associate Head Coach/Interim Head Coach), Ohio State University from 2016-2017 (Assistant Coach). On the professional side Clitnovici enjoyed success with Major League Soccer outfit the Colorado Rapids from 2011 through 2014, and also Assistant Coach of the Western New York Flash from 2014 to 2016 where he was also the WNY Flash ECNL Academy Director of Coaching. Clitnovici also serves as a United States Soccer Federation National Coaching Education Instructor and the current North American Scout for the Scottish Football Association.
Coach Clitnovici’s impact on the Ursinus Soccer program has been evident in 2023 as many lengthy school records were broken; most goals scored in a single game (9) in 9-0 win vs. Penn State Berks, best start in program history after 7 contests (6-1), Second winning season 8-7-2 in 20years.
Prior to Ursinus College, Clitnovici spent 5 seasons with Villanova Women’s Soccer as Associate Head Coach and Interim Head Coach. Clitnovici was an integral part to the gradual improvement of a soccer program that had long spent time at the bottom of the Big East Conference. During Clitnovici’s tenure Villanova Women’s Soccer embarked on consistent program improvements with a stellar 2019 season where Villanova Women’s Soccer returned to the Big East Conference Finals for the first time in 10 years with a 10-7-3 season. Villanova won the first round playoff game vs. Depaul University 1-0 but fell short to eventual 2019 conference champions Georgetown University 0-2.
Before joining Villanova University Clitnovici spent one season with Ohio State University Soccer where he enjoyed success with a NCAA second round appearance where the buckeyes fell short on the road to West Virginia University in Double OT. During his time at Ohio State Clitnovici attributed to the individual success of many of his players with several players going on to the play professionally and internationally at the 2016 Olympic Games.
During 2014 season Clitnovici head coached W-League expansion side Colorado Pride Women to a Western Conference Playoff Final and he established a defense that did not concede a single goal at home. Clitnovici was named 2014 W-League Coach of the Year. Clitnovici also led the Colorado Rapids’ U-20 team to the USL U-20 national championship in 2012. Crowing the Colorado Rapids as North American Champions with a 1-0 win over DC United at IMG Academy.
Coach Clitnovici is one of the most respected coaches in the country with a reputable coaching background in the college game, elite level youth game, professional game, and International game. Clitnovici boasts professional coaching licensing of the United States Soccer Federation “A” License and European UEFA “A” License as well as a United States Soccer Federation Director of Coaching License.
Before getting in to coaching, Clitnovici embarked on 10 year plus professional playing career which attributed to over 190 professional appearances in top leagues throughout the world. Clitnovici spent time with spells at top leagues around the world, including time with Gold Coast United FC in Australia, Universitatea Craiova in Romania, Barnsley FC in England and Apollon Athinon in Greece. In his final professional season in 2008-09, Clitnovici played in Spain for Elche CF and CF Illicitano.
What they say about Coach Clitnovici:
Abby Dahlkemper- Current United States Women’s National Team Player: "I am very fortunate to have been able to work with Daniel during my career. His knowledge of the game, positive motivation, and passionate drive to help his players succeed have all personally helped me develop throughout my journey as a professional soccer player. I will forever cherish my time getting to work with Daniel on and off the pitch. Coach Daniel’s knowledge of the game and coaching style is one of the best I have ever worked with and I’m very fortunate to have had the opportunity to be coached by him. Daniel made me a better player”.
Tom Sermanni – Former United States Women’s National Team Head Coach : "I've known Daniel for several years and always been impressed with his quality of coaching and the care he displays for his athletes. He creates a positive, yet demanding high performance environment that encourages athletes to achieve their best. He is greatly respected within the soccer community by both youth and senior professional coaches and players. He is an outstanding coach".
Graeme Jaap – Head Coach Men’s Soccer, California State University – Monterey Bay: I’ve been fortunate enough to know Daniel for over 20 years and have always been impressed with his passion for the game, both as a player and as a top soccer coach. He sets high standards for himself and his players and he creates an atmosphere where student athletes excel in the classroom, on the field and more importantly in life.
Alex Balog– Technical Director Atlantic City F.C.: Where Daniel stands out is that he genuinely cares about his players. As a family man he understands the dynamics needed to create an atmosphere in which all his players feel at home. Because of this he has the ability to get the best out of everyone, which, when coupled with his outstanding understanding of the game, are some of the most important ingredients to create successful environments. Daniel has been in the game at the highest level, the level of professionalism he will bring to Ursinus Men’s Soccer as a result of that, coupled with his human qualities will help propel the program to a new level.
Lynn Williams- Current United States Women’s National Team Player: "As a coach Daniel always instilled confidence and belief in me. Having a coach that believes in you and is willing to help you improve is half the battle, and Daniel was exactly that type of coach for me in becoming a better player and professional. Daniel drafted me in 2015 and I will always thank him for taking a chance on me. Daniel always puts the person first before anything else and I always knew Daniel was working hard to make me better on and off the field."
Professional Coaching Education
United States Soccer Federation “A” License
United States Soccer Federation Coaching Education Instructor
United States Soccer Federation Director of Coaching License
United States Soccer Federation GK License
European UEFA “A” Diploma
Football Federation Australia Grass Roots Diploma
Professional Coaching Experience
2022-present Ursinus College (NCAA) – Head Coach
2017-2022 Villanova University (NCAA) – Associate Head Coach / Interim Head Coach
2016-2017 Ohio State University (NCAA) - Assistant Coach
2014-2016 Western New York Flash (NWSL) – Associate Head Coach / Interim Head Coach
2011-2014 Colorado Rapids (MLS/W-League) – Head Coach
2011-2014 Colorado Rapids U20 (USL) – Head Coach
2008-2011 Colorado Force (W-League) Assistant Coach
*Current United States Soccer Federation - Coaching Education Instructor
*Current Scotland National Team North American Scout
Coaching Honors
1x 2019 Big East Championship Finals Attendance
1x 2016 NCAA 2nd Round Attendance
1x W-League Head Coach of the Year (2014)
1x National Champion U20 – Head Coach Colorado Rapids (2012)
1x Coaching Staff of the Year (2012)
Student-Athlete Honors
1x W-League Player of the Year Honoree
2x W-League Rookie of the Year Honoree
14x NWSL Draft Honorees
4x MLS Draft Honorees
2x United Soccer Coaches All-Americans
6x NSCAA Big Ten Conference Honorees
1x Big Ten Player of the Year Honorees
3x Big Ten Freshman of the Year Honorees
1x First Team All-Big East Honorees
5x Second Team All-Big East Honorees
12x Big East All Conference Honorable Mention
3x Big Ten All Conference Honorable Mention
2x Centennial Conference All Conference Honorable Mention
10x Big East All-Freshman Team selections
8x NSCAA Academic All-Americans
4x United Soccer Coaches College Scholar All-America Honorees
15x United Soccer Coaches College Scholar All-East Region Honorees
8x United Soccer Coaches College Team Academic Award Earned.
62x Academic All-Big East selections
14x Academic All-Big Ten selections
