Courtesy Norwich Sports Information
NORTHFIELD – Norwich University Director of Athletics Tony Mariano announced on Friday that Adam Pfeifer has been selected as the new head men’s soccer coach.
Pfeifer becomes the 10th head coach in program history, replacing Kyle Dezotell, who departed for Manhattanville in January after serving as the Cadets’ head coach for 10 years.
“I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to lead the Norwich men’s soccer program,” Pfeifer said. “Very few coaches have the privilege to take over a program that has such a solid foundation, I am grateful to coach Dezotell and his staff for the work they have done.”
Pfeifer comes to Norwich after serving two years as an assistant coach for Middlebury College under legendary head coach David Saward. He also served as the Associate Head Coach at Northeastern University for eight seasons prior to that.
“I want to thank Tony Mariano and the entire athletic department staff for believing in me, and giving me this great opportunity,” Pfeifer said. “I also want to thank the coaches that have given me opportunities in college soccer, Brian Ainscough, Dave Saward, and my college coach Ed Kelly. They have all played a major role in cultivating my love for the game, and helping me develop as a person and coach, I am forever grateful.”
Pfeifer helped lead Northeastern to a 68-60-26 record in eight seasons. He helped tutor 41 Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) All-Conference and All-Rookie selections during his tenure.
In 2012, the Huskies won the CAA Tournament title, advanced to the NCAA Tournament Second Round and garnered a Top 25 NSCAA ranking. Northeastern boasted the league Coach of the Year, Player of the Year, Defender of the Year and also had its first player ever selected as a NSCAA All-American.
“I am extremely excited to have Adam Pfeifer on our staff as our new head men’s soccer coach,” Mariano said. “He comes to us with a wealth of experience as a player and coach and I look forward to our continued soccer success under Adam’s leadership.”
Pfeifer played collegiately at Boston College, graduating in 2003 and finishing in the top 20 on the school’s all-time points list and top 10 on the all-time assists list. While at BC, Pfeifer was a four-year starter, leading the Eagles to two Big East Tournament titles and three NCAA Tournament appearances. He led the team in assists as a freshman and a senior and also led the team in goals and points as a sophomore.
He was also a high school standout at Newton North High School in Newton, Mass, earning NSCAA All-American honors as a senior, the first male player in school history to earn the honor. He was also the NSCAA Massachusetts Player of the Year and the Gatorade Massachusetts Player of the Year in 1999.
After moving to Vermont in 2014, Pfeifer has most recently served as the Director of Operations for the Nordic Soccer Club in Burlington, Vt. He managed the week-to-week coordination of 30 teams and 380 players for practice and games.
Pfeifer’s wife, Kate is in her third year as the head field hockey coach at the University of Vermont.
Pfeifer takes over a Norwich program that has made the GNAC Tournament Semifinals in 12 straight seasons, including winning it all in 2008. The Cadets are coming off a 12-8-1 season with an ECAC New England Tournament appearance. Dezotell guided NU to a 131-63-18 record in his 10 seasons and left Norwich as the all-time winningest coach in program history.
“I am excited to get to work with the great student athletes of the men’s soccer team at Norwich,” Pfeifer said. I believe that we can provide each young man in our program, with a fulfilling, successful and productive learning experience.”
Norwich will open the 2016 season at the Oswego State Tournament on Sept. 2 and 3, taking on New Paltz State and SUNY Canton.