EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern men's soccer head coach Tim Lenahan has announced the addition of Michael Casper as the program's new assistant coach.

Casper arrives after most recently serving three seasons as an assistant coach at Notre Dame. Prior to his stint in South Bend, he had been the head coach at Saint Francis (Pa.) from 2007-2014. Casper played four years at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, graduating in 2000.

"We are thrilled to have Mike and his wife, Kerri, join the Northwestern soccer family," said Lenahan. "As a successful Division-I head coach at St. Francis (Pa.), and after spending the last three years at Notre Dame with coaching legend, Bobby Clark, Michael brings a wealth of experience that should have an immediate impact on our program. I am very excited about how he can help our young and talented team move back towards the top of the Big Ten and achieve success in the NCAA Tournament."

"I would like to thank Coach Lenahan, Associate Head Coach Joe Ahern, sport administrators Chris McFarlane and Scott Woodruff and Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Dr. Jim Phillips for the opportunity to become part of Northwestern men's soccer," said Casper. "I am excited to join a program with such a rich tradition and I look forward to working with the staff, student-athletes, and alumni to help further the legacy of Wildcat soccer."

While at Notre Dame, Casper helped the Fighting Irish reach the NCAA Tournament in all three seasons he was there and to a combined 34-19-10 overall record. Casper also coached five Notre Dame players who went on to be drafted to the MLS.

In his head coaching stint, Casper led Saint Francis (Pa.) to an overall 71-61-21 record in eight seasons. In 2014, he guided the Red Flash to the Northeast Conference regular season title and broke the school record for wins in a single season with 13 victories.

Casper has a proven track record of not only on-the-field success, but exemplary academic performances from his student-athletes as well. Between Saint Francis and Notre Dame, he has mentored seven student-athlete who have been named Academic All-Americans.

Casper fills the assistant coach position left by former Wildcat Rich Nassif, who left for a coaching position at the University of Albany.

"We wish all the best to Rich Nassif, his wife Sara (former Northwestern Lax player Sara Harrington) and daughter Jacqueline on their new journey," said Lenahan. Rich has a fantastic opportunity to work with one of the top, young coaches in the college game, Trevor Gorman, at Albany and this is also a chance to move a little closer to Sara's family on the East Coast. Rich has been a 15-year member of the Northwestern soccer family as a player, director of ops and assistant coach and we thank him for all his years of service to the soccer program and the University. He will remain a Wildcat at heart and a very close friend."

Northwestern returns 10 starters from last year's team, including 21 of 22 goals scored. First year Tommy Katsyiannis ranks second among the Big Ten's returning goal scorers. He posted a team-high seven goals in his rookie campaign, all of which came in the team's final nine games. Classmate Garrett Opperman was a unanimous selection to the Big Ten's All-Freshmen Team having played every minute of the season on Northwestern's defensive line. Sophomore Mac Mazzola busted onto the scene late in the season, scoring three of his four goals in the last six game. He finished second on the team with four goals and two assists.

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Northwestern University Athletics

Northwestern University Athletics

Michael Casper Joins Men's Soccer Coaching Staff

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