Shaun Green Announces His Retirement From Coaching the Blue Devils Men's Soccer Program

Central Connecticut men's soccer head coach Shaun Green has announced his retirement from coaching the Blue Devils program. Green, who completed his 35th season leading the program, was just the second head coach in CCSU's history and the only head coach Central has had since moving to Division I in 1986. He is the program's winningest coach and memorably guided the Blue Devils to the 2007 NCAA Tournament "Sweet 16". 

Green will move into a new role in the Athletics Department focused on summer camps and student-athlete leadership development.

"I feel extremely blessed to have enjoyed a 35-year career as the head men's soccer coach at CCSU," said Green. "I was hired straight after graduating college in 1985 and have spent my entire professional career at an institution I love so much. I feel it's time for a new chapter in my life, to embrace a new role within the athletics department that can positively impact all programs. I look back with pride on the fine young men I have coached over my career."

He continued, "My hope is that my players have become better citizens, better sons, better brothers and fathers through their experience at CCSU. Many of our former players have had successful careers in their respective fields such as education, medicine, teaching, business, armed forces and professional soccer.  I thank them all for allowing me to be part of their lives."

"I would like to thank all the administrators who work so hard on a daily basis, the outstanding support staff for academics, strength training, athletic training, sports information and my coaching peers and officials. Last but not least, my everlasting gratitude goes to all the loyal and devoted assistant coaches who I have worked with over the years and to my own family members and friends. I love you all, Thank You"," Green said

"Shaun Green has been the dean of CCSU coaches, a cherished and respected figure in the department and on the campus," said Director of Athletics Brian Barrio "While we will all miss seeing him on the sidelines at soccer matches, we look forward to having him share his expertise and passion with our student-athletes across all sports." 

"Shaun's name will always be synonymous with CCSU Men's Soccer.  He has built a proud, 35-year legacy and will be remembered as one of the giants of soccer coaching in Connecticut," Barrio continued. "His personality and his intellect are gifts to the department, and we are thrilled to be able to keep him on board as he moves beyond soccer."

PHOTO ALBUM THROUGH THE YEARS

Green arrived for his first head coaching job prior to Central's 1985 season and promptly guided the Blue Devils to 10 wins, marking the first of 12 seasons he would lead the program to double-digit wins. His squads set single-season program marks with 15 wins four times, including a stretch of three straight seasons from 1993-95. Green steered the Blue Devils to success in the East Coast Conference, Mid-Continent Conference and the Northeast Conference, regularly ranking among the top squads in New England and earning seven regular season or postseason conference championships. His 1994 and 1995 squads won Mid-Continent Conference championships and would advance to the NCAA Tournament Play-In contests.

His 2007 CCSU squad enjoyed a remarkable run of postseason success and reached unmatched heights at CCSU. The Blue Devils entered the Northeast Conference as the No. 4 seed and would win a pair of 1-0 matches to capture the program's first NEC title. In the NCAA Tournament, Central would upend a pair of Top 25 opponents (No. 15 Harvard, No. 9 Tulsa) to become the first CCSU program to advance to round of sixteen in the NCAA Tournament. Green's squad would conclude the season ranked in the NSCAA Top 25 for the first time in program-history.

Under Green's tutelage numerous Blue Devils earned individual recognition. Nine of Green's former players earned All-America recognition, 24 earned All-Region honors, while numerous other were named All-Conference. Green coached five Player of the Year winners, including two-time NEC Player of the Year Alex Harrison. Green also mentored eight Rookie of the Year honorees. After helping the team to NCAA success in 2007, Yan Klukowski and David Tyrie, the NEC Defensive Player of the Year, were named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List for national player of the year in 2008. They would go on to collect All-Region Honors for the third time and All-NEC honors for the fourth time in as many seasons. Paul Wright, an All-New England and All-Conference standout, tied an NCAA single-game record with eight goals and 17 points in a game against UMES in 1995.

Green's squads also earned recognition in the classroom, collecting the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award six times. Klukowski and Harrison also earned  Academic All-America honors. Thomas Obasi and Reece Wilson, a two-time selection, were both Academic All-American first team choices at CCSU, while several standouts earned Academic All-Region, All-District and Conference recognition for their academic performance.

Green concludes his coaching career with 276 wins at CCSU. He was inducted into the Connecticut "Soccer Hall of Fame" in 2014. He was awarded the Bob Casey Courage Award by the Connecticut Sports Writer Alliance in 2007 and was voted Northeast Conference Coach of the Year three times (2003, 2007, 2013). At the club level, Green coached the Connecticut United FC and CFC Valley at various age groups to championships on the state, regional level. Green also served as the head coach of the Connecticut U-17 Olympic Development Team, which he led to the Region I Championship. He formerly served as the chairman of the NSCAA Regional Ranking Committee and chairman of the NEC Coaches' Committee.

In addition to his on-field work, Green is a leading author of soccer books and multimedia. He has published numerous coaching books and multimedia instructional coaching cds focusing on instructional coaching techniques. Green is a major influencer of online coaching education worldwide and he received the YouTube "Silver Play Button" in 2018 for his contributions to teaching soccer globally. In addition, Green is the founder and President of the International Coaches Association.

A search for a new head coach will begin immediately.