Craig Stewart Position: Head Coach Experience: First Season Alma Mater: Loughborough '02

Craig Stewart is in his first season as the head men's soccer coach at Providence College. Stewart, who became the fourth head coach at the College, came to PC after spending the last three seasons as the head coach at Division II power, Franklin Pierce University (Rindge, N.H.). He replaced Chaka Daley, who resigned in December to take the head coaching position at the University of Michigan.

In 2011, Stewart guided Franklin Pierce to a 21-1-1 overall record as the team captured the Northeast-10 Conference regular season and tournament championships for the second consecutive season. The 21 victories set a single-season school record. In addition, the team earned a trip to the NCAA Final Four. Franklin Pierce also had its first unbeaten regular season record in team history as the Ravens went 16-0-1. For his efforts, Stewart was named NSCAA/Mondo East Region Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season. Franklin Pierce also excelled in the classroom as the team earned the NSCAA Team Academic Award with a 3.12 team grade point average and two of his players garnered CoSIDA Academic honors.

In three seasons, Stewart led Franklin Pierce to a 51-8-6 overall record, two Northeast-10 Conference championships (regular season and tournament), two trips to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals and one trip to the Final Four. Stewart also coached four players who combined to win six player-of-the-year awards from either the conference or regional committees. In addition, he guided the Ravens to an undefeated record (24-0-2) in the Northeast-10 Conference during the last two seasons.

Prior to Franklin Pierce, Stewart served as an assistant coach at Providence College for three seasons (2006-08) under Chaka Daley. While at Providence, Stewart helped the Friars to consecutive NCAA Tournament berths and a trip to the 2006 BIG EAST Semifinals. Stewart spent the 2005 season as an assistant coach at Northeastern University. In addition, Stewart is currently the head coach for the U18 Boston Bolts Academy Team which is affiliated with US Soccer and Celtic FC. He also serves as an assistant coach for the British University Team which competes in the World University Games.

Stewart is inheriting a Providence team that has made the NCAA Tournament five times in the last seven seasons, including two consecutive years (2010, 2011). Over the seven-year span, the Friars have recorded seven consecutive winning seasons and posted a 72-48-21 overall record. In addition, Providence advanced to the BIG EAST Tournament semifinals four times and the championship game once.

In addition to coaching, Stewart also played collegiate soccer at Franklin Pierce, where he earned a master's in business administration and managerial leadership in 2004. At Franklin Pierce, Stewart was named NSCAA Division II All-American and Northeast 10 Player of the Year in 2004, as he helped the Ravens to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances. Following his collegiate playing career, Stewart played professionally for the New Hampshire Phantoms and the Western Massachusetts Pioneers, both of the United States Soccer League.

Stewart was a product of the Newcastle (England) United Football Club youth system, spending almost 10 years at the club followed by stints with Sunderland AFC and Everton FC. Stewart then attended Loughborough University (England), where he was part of a BUSA National Championship team, earning a degree in Sports Science (2002). The native of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England, earned his Football Association (FA) coaching license and served as academy coach at the Newcastle Football Development Scheme.

Stewart and his wife, Jessica, reside in Massachusetts.

CAREER RECORD (3 years at Franklin Pierce)