Through his first five years with the UConn men’s soccer team, Paul McDonough has emerged as one of the most talented and respected assistant coaches and recruiting coordinators in the sport. His recruiting classes have consistently been ranked among the best in the country by College Soccer News and this year is expected to be no different.

In addition to his duties as recruiting coordinator, the 2005 NSCAA College Assistant Coach of the Year assists in all aspects of the day-to-day operations of the Husky soccer program, lending his knowledge gained from 10 years as one of the top assistants in the country.

McDonough’s success as a coach and recruiter is evident at each point in his 14-year career. From the early years at USC-Spartanburg to his time at UConn, he has recruited a total of:

>> One M.A.C. Hermann Trophy winner

>> Four M.A.C. Hermann Trophy candidates

>> 11 NSCAA All-Americans (17 recognitions)

>> 13 professional players, both in Major League Soccer and abroad

>> 11 conference major award winners (Total of 13 awards)

Prior to arriving in Storrs, he spent two seasons as an assistant at South Carolina. In his two seasons with the Gamecocks, they earned two consecutive NCAA tournament bids, and posted a 23-12-3 record in those two years. Before South Carolina, McDonough spent three seasons as an assistant for Wake Forest, helping the Demon Deacons earn an NCAA Tournament appearance in 1999.

Before his stint as a Demon Deacon assistant, McDonough worked at the USC-Spartanburg, where he served as an assistant men’s soccer coach for three seasons. During his coaching tenure at USC-Spartanburg, McDonough led the Rifles to a 48-16-5 combined record, including an appearance in the 1995 NCAA Division II Finals and the 1997 Regional Finals. In 1996, the Rifles reached a ranking as high as No. 2 in the nation.

McDonough also served as the site coordinator for the 1995 NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Championship, which USC-Spartanburg played host. McDonough also has experience in the youth coaching ranks, coaching with the Spartanburg Youth Soccer Club since 1995.

A native of Marshfield, Mass., McDonough attended Massasoit Community College from 1991-93. During his tenure, the Warriors advanced to the NJCAA national semifinals and he earned NSCAA Junior College All-America honors in 1992. McDonough then attended USC-Spartanburg from 1993-96, helping them to NCAA Tournament berths in both 1993 and 1994. In 1996, USC-Spartanburg was ranked as high as No. 2 in the nation.

McDonough is married to the former Tammy George and resides in Manchester, Conn., with their sons Connor, born in March 2005, and Cameron, born in December 2007.