Dartmouth Names Connor Klekota Bobby Clark Head Coach of Men's Soccer

HANOVER, N.H. — Haldeman Family Director of Athletics and Recreation Mike Harrity announced Friday the hiring of Connor Klekota as the next Bobby Clark Head Coach of Men's Soccer.

Klekota arrives in Hanover after most recently serving as an assistant coach at Georgetown University, one of the nation's premiere men's soccer programs. Over eight seasons with the Hoyas, Klekota helped guide Georgetown to sustained national prominence, including the 2019 NCAA National Championship, two College Cup appearances, and a run of six BIG EAST Regular Season Championships and five BIG EAST Tournament Championships.

"Connor brings a championship pedigree, a contagious passion for the game, and a deep commitment to the holistic development of student-athletes," Harrity said. "He understands what it takes to build a program that strives for excellence athletically, academically and culturally. Moreover, he has meaningful ties to Dartmouth and to the program, which makes this a natural and exciting fit."

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

"Very happy to see Connor Klekota has been appointed the next head coach of the Dartmouth men's soccer program. Connor was a key member of my national championship winning team and although a top-class midfielder, he was also a wonderful team leader. He has carried on his love of soccer at Georgetown where he has had the good fortune to be mentored by Brian Wiese. If knowledge, hard work and a positive personality are keys to being a positive college coach, then Dartmouth has made a great hire."

— Bobby Clark Dartmouth Men's Soccer Head Coach, 1985-1993

"I am incredibly excited to see Connor Klekota named head coach of Dartmouth Men's Soccer. His experience, passion for the game and drive to build a winning culture will serve the program well. I am particularly pleased to see his ties to Dartmouth Soccer, both through playing under Bobby Clark and learning the coaching craft under Brian Wiese '95. I would also like to commend Mike Harrity for leading such a successful search that drew strong interest from world class candidates across the country. Great job landing Connor to lead this prestigious program."

— Gregg Lemkau '91 Dartmouth Men's Soccer student-athlete 1988-91, incoming Chair of Dartmouth College Board of Trustees

"I am thrilled for both Connor and Dartmouth. Connor has been a massive part of our successes here at Georgetown over the last eight years and has proven to be one of the great coaching minds in the college game. He will be sorely missed here with us, but I couldn't be more excited for the future of the program at my alma mater and the experience he will give those players up in Hanover."

— Brian Wiese '95 Head Coach of Georgetown Men's Soccer

At Georgetown, Klekota played a key role in all facets of the program, including recruiting, opponent scouting, player development and match preparation. He helped recruit and develop multiple nationally-ranked recruiting classes, dozens of All-Conference and All-America honorees, and more than two dozen players who went on to sign professional contracts in Major League Soccer or abroad. Georgetown earned recognition as the United Soccer Coaches National Staff of the Year in 2019 during Klekota's tenure.

Prior to joining Georgetown, Klekota served as a graduate assistant coach at Bucknell University, where he helped the Bison reach the Patriot League Tournament in consecutive seasons while maintaining strong academic performance within the program.

As a player, Klekota competed at the highest level of college soccer as a member of the University of Notre Dame men's soccer program from 2012-15. A central midfielder and team captain as a senior, he helped lead the Fighting Irish to the 2013 NCAA National Championship, appeared in 66 career matches and earned ACC All-Tournament honors. Notre Dame consistently ranked among the nation's top teams during his career, and Klekota was later invited to participate in the Major League Soccer Combine.

At Notre Dame, Klekota played under Dartmouth's legendary former head coach Bobby Clark, an experience that helped shape his coaching philosophy and approach to leadership. Following his playing career, Klekota also served as a post-graduate intern in Notre Dame's athletics department, working directly with Mike Harrity, then a senior administrator at Notre Dame, an experience that further strengthened their professional connection.

His ties to Dartmouth also extend through his coaching lineage. At Georgetown, Klekota worked under Brian Wiese, a 1995 Dartmouth graduate and men's soccer standout, strengthening his familiarity with the Ivy League and Dartmouth's approach to athletics.

"I can't wait to get started at Dartmouth. I want to thank Mike Harrity, Kristine Fowler and Taurian Houston for giving me this opportunity to lead the men's soccer program. Dartmouth men's soccer has a tradition of success, and I am excited to build a program that adds to its strong history " Klekota said. "I want to thank Dartmouth alumnus Brian Wiese for his belief in me, and mentorship, over the past eight years at Georgetown. Finally, Bobby Clark was instrumental in my journey to be a coach, and there is not a bigger honor than to work under Boss's name each day. Let's get to work!"

Klekota holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Notre Dame and a master's degree in education from Bucknell.

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