SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Slippery Rock University Director of Athletics Paul Lueken announced Monday that Kevin Wilhelm, a former SRU assistant coach, has been named the interim head coach of The Rock men's soccer team for the 2018 season.
 
"We're happy to welcome Kevin back to Slippery Rock," said Lueken. "Kevin's vast experience as a coach in western Pennsylvania both in the collegiate and youth ranks in addition to his familiarity with Slippery Rock and the PSAC in general makes him an outstanding choice to lead the program on an interim basis."
 
Wilhelm replaces Steve Small, who resigned from Slippery Rock earlier in the offseason after two seasons.
 
"I would like to thank Mr. Lueken and President Behre for giving me the opportunity to lead the program," Wilhelm said. "I am very honored to be given this responsibility and I am looking forward to a competitive season."
 
Wilhelm has over 22 years of coaching experience at the highest youth levels in the region and in NCAA Division II and III.
 
Wilhelm was the Director of Coaching "Boys" for the Northern Steel Select Soccer Club in Pittsburgh from 2006-2016 and is currently the Head Coach of several teams in the club. Over the years, he oversaw the expansion of the club from 17 to 32 teams. Under his guidance, the team's have won state championships in US Club Soccer and United States Youth Soccer Association. His teams have also garnered US Club Soccer regional titles as well as appearances in national championship matches.
 
Wilhelm served has also served as an assistant coach at Slippery Rock under Matt Thompson for a total of five seasons over two stretches from 2002-03 and 2007-09. During Wilhelm's last stint at The Rock, he helped guide SRU to a 41-19-4 (.672) record that was capped off with a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship in 2009.
 
Between his two terms at The Rock, Wilhelm was the head men and women's soccer coach at Division III Thiel College from 2004-06.
 
Wilhelm's familiarity with Slippery Rock is not only through coaching, but also as a player. A transfer from Gannon University, he helped lead SRU to a Western Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Soccer Conference title in 1994 followed by earning All-WPISC honors in 1995 under head coach Girish Thakar.
 
He earned both his master's and bachelor's degrees in sport management from Slippery Rock in 2005 and 1998, respectively, and holds a National Soccer Coaches Association of America National Diploma.
 
Wilhelm resides in Slippery Rock with his wife Amanda and his daughter Keira.
 
Traditionally one of the top programs in the PSAC, Slippery Rock has won three conference titles dating back to the 2009 season. Along with Mercyhurst University, Slippery Rock is one of just two schools in the league to win multiple championships in the last nine years.
 
He will be the 13th coach selected to lead the Slippery Rock men's soccer program in its history dating back to 1929. His first official game at the helm will be August 30 at Tiffin University.


To stay up to date with all that happens at The Rock, follow our official athletic communication accounts on Twitter (@Rock_Athletics), Facebook (RockAthletics), Instagram (RockAthletics) and Snapchat (@RockAthletics).