Northwestern University Athletics
Joe Ahearn Promoted to Associate Head Coach
9/27/2016 11:03:00 AM | Men's Soccer
EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern men's soccer head coach Tim Lenahan has announced the promotion of Joe Ahearn from assistant coach to associate head coach.
Ahearn is in his fourth season on the Wildcats' staff after spending six seasons as the head coach at Missouri S&T. Prior to that, he had stints on the men's soccer staffs at Colgate and his alma mater, DePaul.
"Joe is one of the top assistant coaches in college soccer," said Lenahan. "His experiences at the Division I level, and as a head coach in Division II, make this promotion well earned. He has been a key reason for our success. Additionally, Joe is one of the nicest guys in college sports, and his ideals of student-athlete development match perfectly with the mission of Northwestern and our soccer program."
"Over the last 15 years, coach Lenahan has developed Northwestern into one of the nation's elite men's soccer programs," said Ahearn. "Coach consistently surrounds himself with good people and strives to make all those around him better. There is no person that cares more about Northwestern men's soccer, its tradition and the people associated with the program than coach Lenahan.
I am grateful for his trust and the opportunity to learn daily from some of the finest student-athletes, coaches, and staffs that this world-class institution offers."
Ahearn came to Northwestern in February of 2013 after spending six seasons as the head coach at Missouri S&T. In his time at Northwestern, he has helped the 'Cats to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances and assisted in guiding the program to 30 wins.
"What makes Northwestern University such a special place are the people," said Ahearn. "The administration, specifically Vice President for Athletics & Recreation Dr. Jim Phillips and Deputy Director of Athletics and men's soccer sport administrator Janna Blais, invests an enormous amount of effort in creating a world-class environment because they truly care about the student-athletes, the staff and the coaches."
While at Missouri S&T, Ahearn enjoyed success as the first coach to lead the Miners to the NCAA Division II Tournament and the regional championship game. In 2010, the Miners were Great Lakes Valley Conference Regular Season co-champions and Ahearn was honored as a finalist for the Division II National Coach of the Year award, while also earning the distinction of GLVC Coach of the Year.
During his two seasons at Colgate, Ahearn helped guide the Raiders to two appearances in the Patriot League Tournament. He was also the assistant director of the University's boy's soccer camps.
Ahearn began his coaching career at his alma mater, DePaul, spending three seasons on the Blue Demons' sideline. Aside from his coaching duties, he served as the primary recruiting coordinator and liaison between the student-athletes and athletic academic counseling. The Blue Demons received the Conference USA Academic Excellence Award in 2003 and six players were named to the Conference USA Commissioners Honor Roll during his tenure.
Prior to that, he served as the equipment operations coordinator for the United States Soccer Federation and traveled with the national team to the 2002 World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan. He also traveled with the team when it took part in the Under-20 World Championships in Argentina.
A 2000 DePaul graduate, Ahearn played 67 games over his four-year career and started every game his final three seasons. He was selected to the Conference USA all-league team as a third-team selection following the 1999 season and was chosen as his team's most valuable player.
He earned his United States Soccer Federation National A coaching license in 2005.
Ahearn and his wife, Katie, sons Frankie and Charlie and daughter, Annie, live in Glenview.
Ahearn is in his fourth season on the Wildcats' staff after spending six seasons as the head coach at Missouri S&T. Prior to that, he had stints on the men's soccer staffs at Colgate and his alma mater, DePaul.
"Joe is one of the top assistant coaches in college soccer," said Lenahan. "His experiences at the Division I level, and as a head coach in Division II, make this promotion well earned. He has been a key reason for our success. Additionally, Joe is one of the nicest guys in college sports, and his ideals of student-athlete development match perfectly with the mission of Northwestern and our soccer program."
"Over the last 15 years, coach Lenahan has developed Northwestern into one of the nation's elite men's soccer programs," said Ahearn. "Coach consistently surrounds himself with good people and strives to make all those around him better. There is no person that cares more about Northwestern men's soccer, its tradition and the people associated with the program than coach Lenahan.
I am grateful for his trust and the opportunity to learn daily from some of the finest student-athletes, coaches, and staffs that this world-class institution offers."
Ahearn came to Northwestern in February of 2013 after spending six seasons as the head coach at Missouri S&T. In his time at Northwestern, he has helped the 'Cats to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances and assisted in guiding the program to 30 wins.
"What makes Northwestern University such a special place are the people," said Ahearn. "The administration, specifically Vice President for Athletics & Recreation Dr. Jim Phillips and Deputy Director of Athletics and men's soccer sport administrator Janna Blais, invests an enormous amount of effort in creating a world-class environment because they truly care about the student-athletes, the staff and the coaches."
While at Missouri S&T, Ahearn enjoyed success as the first coach to lead the Miners to the NCAA Division II Tournament and the regional championship game. In 2010, the Miners were Great Lakes Valley Conference Regular Season co-champions and Ahearn was honored as a finalist for the Division II National Coach of the Year award, while also earning the distinction of GLVC Coach of the Year.
During his two seasons at Colgate, Ahearn helped guide the Raiders to two appearances in the Patriot League Tournament. He was also the assistant director of the University's boy's soccer camps.
Ahearn began his coaching career at his alma mater, DePaul, spending three seasons on the Blue Demons' sideline. Aside from his coaching duties, he served as the primary recruiting coordinator and liaison between the student-athletes and athletic academic counseling. The Blue Demons received the Conference USA Academic Excellence Award in 2003 and six players were named to the Conference USA Commissioners Honor Roll during his tenure.
Prior to that, he served as the equipment operations coordinator for the United States Soccer Federation and traveled with the national team to the 2002 World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan. He also traveled with the team when it took part in the Under-20 World Championships in Argentina.
A 2000 DePaul graduate, Ahearn played 67 games over his four-year career and started every game his final three seasons. He was selected to the Conference USA all-league team as a third-team selection following the 1999 season and was chosen as his team's most valuable player.
He earned his United States Soccer Federation National A coaching license in 2005.
Ahearn and his wife, Katie, sons Frankie and Charlie and daughter, Annie, live in Glenview.
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
Men's Soccer - Johnson, O’Reilly Power ‘Cats Past Ohio State In 2025 Finale, 2-1 (11/7/25)
Saturday, November 08
Men's Soccer - 'Cats Knock off No. 17 Hoosiers, 2-0 (10/31/25)
Saturday, November 01
Men's Soccer - 'Cats Blank Evansville In Non-Conference Finale, 1-0 (10/7/25)
Wednesday, October 08
Men's Soccer - 'Cats Earn Gutsy 2-1 Win Over Rutgers (9/19/25)
Saturday, September 20
