Northwestern University Athletics
Bonelli Named Assistant Men's Soccer Coach
3/14/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
March 14, 2007
EVANSTON, Ill.--Northwestern men's soccer coach Tim Lenahan has announced the addition of Michael Bonelli to his coaching staff. Bonelli comes to Evanston after a successful two-year stint at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa.
At Lafayette, Bonelli served as assistant coach to Dennis Bohn, a former assistant to Lenahan, helping lead the Leopards to a 13-4-2 record, the 2005 Patriot League Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in his first season. In 2006, Lafayette followed up on their championship season with another trip to the Patriot League finals, narrowly missing out on a return trip to the Tournament, falling on penalty kicks in the finals. All told the Leopards were 24-9-4 the past two seasons, which ranks among the best two-year records in school history.
"We are excited to have Mike Bonelli as a part of the staff," Lenahan said. "He comes here from one of the most successful programs in the nation in Lafayette College having worked there with an outstanding coach and good friend, Dennis Bohn. He has a great work ethic and a good rapport with the players. His presence should really help our program to continue its upward climb among the nation's elite college soccer programs."
Bonelli will be responsible for organizing the scouting, team travel and individual training in addition to assisting with recruiting and camp duties.
"I am very excited to join the Northwestern men's soccer staff," Bonelli said. "Coach Lenahan has built a strong soccer tradition here and I hope to help the program reach its future goals. I believe with Northwestern's top-notch academics, scenic campus and athletic facilities that men's soccer can be a Big Ten and national contender each year."
Prior to coaching at Lafayette, Bonelli spent the 2004 season as assistant coach at Gettysburg College where he helped guide Gettysburg to a 9-7-1 overall record. While there, Bonelli spearheaded recruiting efforts and assisted in all aspects of the program.
Before that, Bonelli spent one season as the head coach at McGraw High School in McGraw, N.Y. He led the varsity team to the school's first Central Counties League championship. McGraw posted a 16-2-1 overall mark that year while reeling off an undefeated 11-0-1 conference record.
Bonelli also served as group coordinator of the Cornell Soccer camp in 2004 and trainer of the Gettysburg Youth Soccer Club from 2004-05. He is a 2004 graduate of SUNY-Cortland where he received a bachelor of arts degree in physical education.
Prior to matriculating at Cortland, Bonelli attended Norwich University in Northfield, Vt. He started 13-of-23 games at outside midfielder and helped lead the team to a Great North Atlantic Conference championship and a berth into the 1999 Division III NCAA Tournament, both firsts for the program.
