Chad Duernberger
Head Coach
(304) 357-4899
chadduernberger@ucwv.edu 

Chad Duernberger, the 2009 WVIAC and NSCAA/Mondo Atlantic Regional Coach of the Year, has led the University of Charleston soccer program to prestigious heights in just two years of work. After becoming the head coach in January of 2008, Coach Duernberger was considered one of the youngest head college coaches in America at the age of 24. In just two seasons, Charleston is back to being considered amongst the elite NCAA Division II programs in the country, which is why Duernberger is listed as a finalist for the 2009 NSCAA/Mondo DII National Coach of the Year.

After taking over a program that finished 0-17-0 (0-10-0 WVIAC) in 2007, Duernberger improved the youthful Golden Eagles to a 4-11-2 (3-5-2 WVIAC) record in 2008. The 2009 season proved to be the second best in school history as Charleston finished with a 19-4-0 record which included a perfect season in WVIAC conference play of 10-0-0. The team accolades began to come in as the Golden Eagles won both the WVIAC regular season and tournament titles. By finishing third in the Atlantic Region, Charleston made its first appearance in the DII NCAA National Tournament since 1999. Under Duernberger’s direction, UC took advantage of its opportunity by advancing to the Elite 8. The Golden Eagles broke into the NSCAA DII Top 25 on September 29th and stayed in the ranks throughout the rest of the season. Duernberger led the program to a #7 finish in the NSCAA DII Top 25 Final Rankings.

Defensive tenacity, offensive creativity and high paced soccer have been the style of play for Duernberger’s teams thus far. The Golden Eagles finished the 2009 season ranked 11th in the nation in scoring (61 total goals; 2.65 goals per game) along with a shutout percentage tabbed as number 8 in the country (13 shutouts). The Golden Eagles also performed well in the classroom including 13 men’s soccer players with a 3.0 – 4.0 grade point average.

Within Coach Duernberger’s two years of recruiting and guidance, the Golden Eagles have seen 3 NSCAA/Performance Subaru All-Americans, 5 NSCAA Atlantic All-Region performers, and 7 First-Team All-WVIAC honorees. Charleston has also taken home the WVIAC Player of the Year (Dion Peters, 2009) and Freshman of the Year (Rob Vincent, 2009) awards.

Prior to UC, Duernberger served on the men’s soccer staff at Marshall University (C-USA) as an office graduate assistant during the 2006 and 2007 seasons. As a player, the Belle, WV native was a four year starter at the University of Charleston from 2002-2006. Duernberger was an All-WVIAC performer which included three years on the First Team All-WVIAC and one year on the Second Team All-WVIAC. The former striker also earned All-Region honors in 2002. While splitting time at Riverside and South Charleston High Schools, the three time First-Team All State honoree was awarded the West Virginia Forward of the Year in 2001. Duernberger currently resides in Charleston, WV.