Saluki Athletics names Craig Roberts head coach of Women's Soccer
03/15/2022 | 9:13:00 | Women's Soccer
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University introduced Craig Roberts on Tuesday as its new women's soccer head coach.
Roberts has a 150-92-45 record in 15 seasons as a Division I collegiate head coach at Grambling State, Ball State and UT Martin. He has posted nine-straight winning seasons, including the last two seasons at Grambling State, where he led the Tigers to a 17-9-5 record and consecutive trips to the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship match.
Prior to Grambling State, Roberts coached nine seasons at Ball State, totaling 99 wins to become the winningest coach in program history. Under his guidance, the Cardinals won four-consecutive Mid-American Conference West Division titles from 2015-2018 and claimed back-to-back MAC regular-season championships in 2015 and 2016.
"Craig has an impressive track record in building soccer programs at other institutions and has demonstrated a strong commitment to student-athlete development," said SIU Director of Athletics Matt Kupec. "It was clear throughout the hiring process that he would be a perfect fit with our Saluki family, and we look forward to Craig elevating our soccer program."
Roberts led the Cardinals to a record of 35-5-4 in conference play during his last four seasons with the program, marking the best record of any MAC team during that stretch. The Cardinals went 14-3-3 overall in 2018 for the program's sixth-straight season with double-digit victories. During one stretch, the Cardinals amassed a 25-game home unbeaten streak. That was the longest active streak in the nation before suffering a loss in 2017. Roberts coached a total of 18 All-MAC selections and 11 MAC All-Freshman Team honorees at Ball State. The Cardinals tied a league record with five All-MAC First Team selections in 2015. Roberts coached nine Ball State players who have competed at various national team levels and several who went on to play professionally.
Roberts began his head coaching career at UT Martin in 2006. His final team in 2009 won the Skyhawks' first-ever Ohio Valley Conference regular season championship. Over his last three seasons at UT Martin, his team tallied 29 wins, matching the combined number of victories for the program's previous seven seasons. He left with the school's top three marks for wins in a season, including the program's first ever 10-win campaigns (2007 and 2008).
"Everyone I have met throughout the search process has been very welcoming and supportive," said Roberts. "I cannot thank Matt Kupec and (SWA) Katie Gerlach enough for affording me this opportunity. Moving forward, I look forward to not only impacting soccer at SIU but also within the Carbondale community. I embrace the challenge of evolving SIU soccer into a championship culture."
Roberts served as an assistant coach with both the Puerto Rico and Haiti women's national teams. He holds his United States Soccer Federation (USSF) 'A' License, NSCAA Premier License, NSCAA Goalkeeper Diploma, USSF Youth Specialist License and his English Football Association Coaching License. He holds some of highest coaching credentials both in the USA and internationally along with extensive background in sports medicine and sports psychology.
Southern Illinois recently completed its third season of intercollegiate soccer.
What They're Saying About Coach Roberts
"Craig is a person of great character and integrity and with his coaching pedigree, success and experience he is an outstanding hire for Southern Illinois University."
-Tom Sermanni, Former Head USA National Team Coach
"What a great hire by SIU Carbondale! Craig is an experienced coach who will bring a wealth of knowledge to his team and program. He has been successful at every place he has coached at and his players will love playing for him. His experience, his high standards and his expectations will be exactly what SIU Carbondale needs moving forward and I look forward to seeing great things happening there very soon. Congratulations once again on an exceptional hire!"
-Randy Waldrum, Pittsburgh University and Nigerian Head National Team Coach
"Craig's consistent record of achievement at collegiate, pro and international level will be an asset at SIU. His ability to motivate, mentor and guide will help student athletes to achieve their best in the classroom and on the field. Having worked with Craig with Haiti and Puerto Rico Women's National Teams I am confident he will guide SIU to unprecedented success."
-Shek Borkowskki, Former Haiti and Puerto Rico Head National Team Coach
"SIU have made a great hire in bringing Craig to their family. I have known him a long time and it is very clear the history he has in transforming programs that have struggled into teams competing for championships. I'm sure it will not be long before SIU experience this too. I wish both him and SIU all the best for the future."
-Graham Winkworth, Arizona State University Head Women's Soccer Coach
Roberts has a 150-92-45 record in 15 seasons as a Division I collegiate head coach at Grambling State, Ball State and UT Martin. He has posted nine-straight winning seasons, including the last two seasons at Grambling State, where he led the Tigers to a 17-9-5 record and consecutive trips to the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship match.
Prior to Grambling State, Roberts coached nine seasons at Ball State, totaling 99 wins to become the winningest coach in program history. Under his guidance, the Cardinals won four-consecutive Mid-American Conference West Division titles from 2015-2018 and claimed back-to-back MAC regular-season championships in 2015 and 2016.
"Craig has an impressive track record in building soccer programs at other institutions and has demonstrated a strong commitment to student-athlete development," said SIU Director of Athletics Matt Kupec. "It was clear throughout the hiring process that he would be a perfect fit with our Saluki family, and we look forward to Craig elevating our soccer program."
Roberts led the Cardinals to a record of 35-5-4 in conference play during his last four seasons with the program, marking the best record of any MAC team during that stretch. The Cardinals went 14-3-3 overall in 2018 for the program's sixth-straight season with double-digit victories. During one stretch, the Cardinals amassed a 25-game home unbeaten streak. That was the longest active streak in the nation before suffering a loss in 2017. Roberts coached a total of 18 All-MAC selections and 11 MAC All-Freshman Team honorees at Ball State. The Cardinals tied a league record with five All-MAC First Team selections in 2015. Roberts coached nine Ball State players who have competed at various national team levels and several who went on to play professionally.
Roberts began his head coaching career at UT Martin in 2006. His final team in 2009 won the Skyhawks' first-ever Ohio Valley Conference regular season championship. Over his last three seasons at UT Martin, his team tallied 29 wins, matching the combined number of victories for the program's previous seven seasons. He left with the school's top three marks for wins in a season, including the program's first ever 10-win campaigns (2007 and 2008).
"Everyone I have met throughout the search process has been very welcoming and supportive," said Roberts. "I cannot thank Matt Kupec and (SWA) Katie Gerlach enough for affording me this opportunity. Moving forward, I look forward to not only impacting soccer at SIU but also within the Carbondale community. I embrace the challenge of evolving SIU soccer into a championship culture."
Roberts served as an assistant coach with both the Puerto Rico and Haiti women's national teams. He holds his United States Soccer Federation (USSF) 'A' License, NSCAA Premier License, NSCAA Goalkeeper Diploma, USSF Youth Specialist License and his English Football Association Coaching License. He holds some of highest coaching credentials both in the USA and internationally along with extensive background in sports medicine and sports psychology.
Southern Illinois recently completed its third season of intercollegiate soccer.
What They're Saying About Coach Roberts
"Craig is a person of great character and integrity and with his coaching pedigree, success and experience he is an outstanding hire for Southern Illinois University."
-Tom Sermanni, Former Head USA National Team Coach
"What a great hire by SIU Carbondale! Craig is an experienced coach who will bring a wealth of knowledge to his team and program. He has been successful at every place he has coached at and his players will love playing for him. His experience, his high standards and his expectations will be exactly what SIU Carbondale needs moving forward and I look forward to seeing great things happening there very soon. Congratulations once again on an exceptional hire!"
-Randy Waldrum, Pittsburgh University and Nigerian Head National Team Coach
"Craig's consistent record of achievement at collegiate, pro and international level will be an asset at SIU. His ability to motivate, mentor and guide will help student athletes to achieve their best in the classroom and on the field. Having worked with Craig with Haiti and Puerto Rico Women's National Teams I am confident he will guide SIU to unprecedented success."
-Shek Borkowskki, Former Haiti and Puerto Rico Head National Team Coach
"SIU have made a great hire in bringing Craig to their family. I have known him a long time and it is very clear the history he has in transforming programs that have struggled into teams competing for championships. I'm sure it will not be long before SIU experience this too. I wish both him and SIU all the best for the future."
-Graham Winkworth, Arizona State University Head Women's Soccer Coach
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