University of North Carolina Athletics
Chris Rich Joins Men's Soccer Coaching Staff
April 3, 2014 | Men's Soccer
CHAPEL HILL - North Carolina men's soccer coach Carlos Somoano announced Thursday the hiring of Chris Rich as the volunteer assistant coach for the Tar Heels. Rich comes to Carolina in 2014 after serving in a similar role at Virginia Tech for the last two seasons.
"I am extremely grateful to Carlos for presenting me with the opportunity to join his staff and the Tar Heel family," said Rich. "It's truly an honor to be a part of UNC's championship level program.
"I'm excited to learn the ins and outs of the program and start working alongside this great coaching staff."
Rich, who oversaw game day scouting and video analysis for the Hokies during the 2012 and 2013 campaigns, also served as the goalkeeper coach, mentoring first team All-ACC keeper Kyle Renfro in 2013.
"We are delighted to have Chris join our program," said Somoano. " He will be working on the field primarily with our goalkeepers and brings great experience and personality to a critical component of our coaching staff".
Prior to Virginia Tech, Rich spent time as an assistant coach at Florida International during the 2011 season. He assisted in most aspects of the program with a specific focus on domestic recruiting.
Rich spent four years as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Barry University, where he was the goalkeeper coach for the men's team for four seasons and the women's team for three seasons.
As a student-athlete at Barry, Rich was a captain and a four-year starter in goal for the Buccaneers. An All-Sunshine State Conference pick, Rich notched 28 career wins and eight shutouts between the pipes.
Rich holds a NSCAA Advanced National Diploma, a USSF 'B' license, and a NSCAA Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma.
Rich earned a bachelor's degree in sport management in 2007 and a master's degree in sport management in 2009 from Barry.
