Daniel Clitnovici (Clitno-Vich) enters his first season as the Ursinus Head Men's Soccer Coach in 2022. Clitnovici comes to Ursinus after recently serving as the head coach for Atlantic City FC of the NPSL as well as spending five seasons as the associate head coach of the Villanova University Women's Soccer Team.

Clitnovici wrapped up his time as a member of the Villanova Wildcats Women's Soccer Coaching staff after the Fall 2021 season. He helped lead the 2019 squad to its first winning season in 15 years and an appearance in the Semifinals of the Big East Tournament. Clitnovici was promoted to interim head coach during the 2021 campaign. Prior to Villanova, Clitnovici spent a season with the Ohio State University Women's Soccer team and helped guide the team to the second round of the NCAA Tournament while serving as an assistant coach and recruited in different parts of the country.

Along with his coaching on the collegiate level, Clitnovici owns 15 years of professional coaching experience a various stops. He served as the head coach of the Colorado Rapids Women from 2011 through 2014 and was the assistant coach of the Western New York Flash from 2015 to 2016. Clitnovici was also the WNY Flash Academy Director of Coaching and represented the team during the 2016 NWSL Draft as the interim head coach. Clitnovici led the Colorado Rapids MLS U-20 team to the USL U-20 national championship in 2012, while being named USL W-League Coach of the year in 2014 after leading w-league expansion side Colorado Pride to a Western Conference Championship final appearance.

"I am extremely excited to join the Ursinus College family and lead the Men's soccer program while creating a culture of excellence both on and off the field," Clitnovici said. "Ursinus is a special place and I feel extremely fortunate to be offered this opportunity. I do want to thank Coach Keith Cappo for leaving the program in such a strong place and I'm excited to get to work with the team and continue to push the program forward. Everyone I have met throughout the process has been incredible and genuine, and I cannot thank Laura Moliken, Erin Stroble, Kevin Small and the rest of the search committee enough for affording me this opportunity. My family and I are grateful and very excited for this next chapter."

Before beginning his coaching career, Clitnovici spent over 10 years playing professional soccer, 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 Clitnovici played in Spain for Elche CF and CF Illicitano in the Spanish segunda division.

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."  
 

Coaching Education
United States Soccer Federation “A” License

United States Soccer Federation Coaching Education Instructor

United States Soccer Federation Director of Coaching License

Unites States Soccer Federation GK License

European UEFA “A” License 

Football Federation Australia Grass Roots Diploma

Clitnovici is a native of Australia and holds a Bachelor in Exercise Science along with 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.