NEWARK, DE -- The University of Delaware soccer program has announced the addition of former Delaware player Adam Flanigan as the Blue Hens’ director of soccer operations.

Flanigan (at right) was a four-year letterwinner for the Blue Hens from 2001-04, graduating with a degree in health behavioral management. He scored seven goals and had nine assists for 23 points during his time at UD. He joins the Blue Hen staff after an outstanding career with Kirkwood Soccer Club in which his teams won 10 state championships and two Region 1 titles. In high school, Flanigan was a three-time first-team all-state selection and a two-time regional All-American at St. Mark’s in Wilmington, DE.

Second-year head coach Ian Hennessy, whose Hens went 3-13-2 in 2007, said Flanigan’s local ties will help move the program forward.  

“We are delighted to add Adam to the staff here at the program,” Hennessy said. “Having played at the university and in Delaware as a youth is an added bonus for us because we are still a young coaching staff and there are aspects of the program, the university, and the community we feel he can play a leading role in.”

“There is a terrific buzz about the game in the country at the moment with the addition of MLS teams, soccer-only stadiums, and a very positive restructuring of the youth programs across the board. The addition of the Philly franchise in a $500 million complex up the road has prompted a lot of phone calls to our office from many young coaches looking to get into the college circuit, especially since we are so close to the new stadium. It is an especially great time for young coaches like Adam because there will be so many more coaching jobs open in the next 5-10 years from which he can make a living. It is good for him and it is good for the game.”

Flanigan, 25, is the first director of soccer operations in school history. He currently resides in Newark.