SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - Stanford's associate head coach Oige Kennedy is the new head coach of Cal Poly Men's Soccer, the program announced on Friday. Coach Kennedy finishes his time on The Farm a two-time NCAA Champion coach while also helping lead the Cardinal to four Pac-12 titles.
"We are excited to congratulate Oige on becoming the Head Coach at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo," said The Knowles Family Director of Men's Soccer Jeremy Gunn. "We say a fond farewell to a person and a coach who has left an indelible mark on the Stanford Men's Soccer program. During seven seasons Oige identified, recruited, and then developed incredible student-athletes and helped mold them into some of the most exciting and successful soccer teams in the country."
"I personally owe a heart-felt debt of gratitude to someone who I have shared so many special moments with over the last 16 years," added Gunn. "Oige has proven that he is one of the brightest minds in college soccer, having won NCAA championships as both a head and assistant coach. Good luck Oige, and thank you!"
Kennedy has been instrumental into elevating Stanford to one of the premier teams in collegiate soccer. Most recently, he helped lead a Stanford team that advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament in 2022 that featured Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Keegan Hughes and a defense that ranked in the top ten in shutout percentage in the NCAA (10th, 0.500), 22nd in goal differential (+23), and 26th in goals against average (.889) during the regular season.
His strength in coaching at each level of play have helped him influence the trajectory of many players, leading to 20 MLS draft picks over his coaching career, including two top-10 draft picks.
"First and foremost, I have to say thank you Coach Gunn for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to work at Stanford," said Kennedy. "He has been more than just a mentor these past years, a true friend that has had the most positive impact on my life. His belief in me has provided so many amazing opportunities that I could never say thank you enough."
In 2021, Kennedy coached a Stanford team that featured four athletes with four or more assists on the year, including Ousseni Bouda's nine which were ninth-most in the NCAA. Bouda was named Pac-12 player of the week twice during the regular season and he led the Cardinal in points, assists, and tied for the lead in goals.
Kennedy also helped coach Zach Ryan to the Pac-12 Player of the year award during the 2020 season that culminated with an appearance in the third round of the NCAA tournament. In 2019, the Cardinal reached the College Cup Semifinal.
"I truly believe that what makes Stanford so special is the amazing student-athletes that are the most inspirational group of people I have had the opportunity to work with," explained Kennedy. "Their commitment to one another combined with their dedication to pursuing athletics and academics at the highest possible standard is what makes them champions in life."
From 2015-18, Kennedy helped guide Stanford to an NCAA-record, 14-match postseason shutout streak that eventually reached 1,428:09. The Cardinal also engineered a nine-match shutout streak across the regular and postseasons in 2017 and 2018, the eighth-longest stretch in NCAA history.
In addition to his stellar record at coaching athletes, Kennedy has shown a great ability to find talent as well. During his coaching career, he has brought in recruiting classes ranked among the top-10 in the nation for seven consecutive years.
Kennedy, who amassed a 102-37-9 overall record in seven seasons leading the Skyhawks, won national championships in 2009 and 2011 and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) regular-season and postseason crowns those same seasons.
He first arrived at Fort Lewis in 2006 when he was hired as an assistant on Jeremy Gunn's staff in Durango, Colorado. The Skyhawks went 21-2-1 that season and were national runners-up. Gunn left after the season to take over at Charlotte while Kennedy remained to work under Tim Hankinson in 2007-08, winning 33 more games and advancing to the NCAA Division II postseason both years.
Kennedy took the reins of Fort Lewis' program in 2009 and continued the powerhouse's push forward. Hired as interim head coach just weeks before his team was to report for preseason training, he became the first coach in NCAA history to guide a men's soccer team to a national championship in his first year of collegiate coaching. The Skyhawks started the year 3-1, with their only loss coming at the hands of Incarnate Word. Rebounding in emphatic fashion, FLC reeled off 21 straight wins to claim its second national championship in five years.
Kennedy duplicated the feat in 2011, as his team went 24-1 and added NCAA Division II, RMAC regular season, and RMAC championship trophies to their treasure chest.
"I also want to thank DAPER and all of the support staff I have been fortunate enough to call friends these past seven years," added Kennedy. "Your tireless work provides an unequaled environment to work in each day. It's easy to see why Stanford Athletics is a beacon for collegiate sports and the gold standard for excellence each and every season."
Kennedy will takeover a Cal Poly program in a competitive Big West conference that saw six of its 10 teams reach at least eight wins on the year.
"Having coached for 30 years now I have learned that the only thing constant is change," explained Gunn. "I have had the honor to watch so many people develop, excel, and then move on to take on exciting new challenges. As always we enjoy reflecting on special times, say a huge thank you, and then welcome the prospect of the next chapters that await us."