Fordham University hires Magnus Nilerud as women’s soccer head coach

Bronx, N.Y. – Fordham University director of athletics Ed Kull announced the hiring of Magnus Nilerud as the new head coach of the Fordham women’s soccer program. He becomes the fourth head coach in the team’s history.

“We are thrilled to welcome Magnus into the Fordham Athletics family. His past success speaks for itself and his understanding of the game and care of our student-athletes will be a tremendous asset. The future of our women’s soccer program is bright with Coach Nilerud at the helm,” said Kull.

“I feel extremely honored and blessed for the opportunity to lead Fordham University women’s soccer into the next chapter of its legacy,” said Nilerud.  “I would like to thank Ed Kull, Shannon Raymond and the entire search committee for entrusting me with this position. Having coached at my Alma Mater for 23 years, my next step had to be something very special for my family and Fordham is exactly that. I’m excited for the work ahead, recruiting student-athletes that exemplify Jesuit values and building strong Fordham family bonds with current student-athletes and alumni alike.”

Nilerud comes to Rose Hill after a successful 23-year run at the University of Bridgeport. He posted a 295-126-27 record in his tenure with the Purple Knights, making 11 NCAA appearances, winning three NCAA Regionals, and reached the pinnacle in 2018 by winning the NCAA Division II National Championship.  He is one of only two active coaches in the East region with at least 250 career victories and ranks in the top 15 in the nation for all-time winningest active coaches by wins and win percentage.

He amassed a multitude of coaching accolades at Bridgeport as a two-time NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year (2015 & 2018), a three-time Regional Coach of the Year (2011, 2015, & 2018), and an eight-time East Coast Conference (ECC) Coach of the Year.

For player recognition, Nilerud coached 36 All-Americans, 78 All-Region selections, and 126 All-Conference players at Bridgeport.  His team won nine ECC regular season championships and five tournament championships, while finishing the season in the top 25 polls ten times. The team was also consistently among the NCAA leaders in goals per game (10 times) and fewest goals surrendered (nine times).

A native of Sweden, Nilerud graduated from the University of Bridgeport in 1999 with a degree in Marketing. He was a standout soccer player for the Purple Knights from 1995 to 1998. As a four-year starter and captain, Nilerud was a two-time All-New England Conference selection, and was selected to play in the Senior Bowl.

He is very active in the Connecticut community and is the Director of Coaching of the prestigious Connecticut Football Club. He is also the Co-Director of CT Summer Select, a youth summer soccer program with over 300 players. He is the member of the Connecticut Olympic Development Program staff.  He holds a SFF (Swedish Football Federation) B License, a USSF C License and a NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma. After a second stint as the East Region Chair for the NCAA Championships from 2012-14, he was promoted to the National Chair in January 2014 to January 2016.  Since 2017, he has served as an NCAA Coaches Connection representative.

Nilerud resides in Connecticut with his wife, Sharon, and their three daughters, Isabelle, Sofia and Lilliana.