(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 8)- After leading the men's and women's soccer programs at McKendree University to a combined 11 conference championships and eight postseason tournament appearances, Tim Strange is stepping down as the head coach of the men's soccer program to solely lead the women's soccer team. Current assistant soccer coach Donny Sheehan has been promoted to lead the men's program.

Strange began his coaching duties at McKendree in 1989 as an assistant coach for the men's soccer program under head coaches Andy Waite and Gene Johnson, and was later promoted to head coach of the men's program in 1994. In 1999, Strange was named the head coach of the women's soccer program after a two-year tenure by Richele Landa. Sheehan joined McKendree as an assistant coach for both programs in 2002.

“The McKendree University  soccer program has been fortunate over its recent history to have achieved uncommon success in both men's and women's soccer,” said McKendree director of athletics Dr. Todd Reynolds. “I believe that this realignment in our current coaching staff will allow for an even greater opportunity for our programs to build on their successful past. This division of duties will strengthen both programs and put us in a stronger position as we prepare to enter NCAA Division II competition in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.”

“Coach Strange and Coach Sheehan have proven their ability to recruit outstanding student-athletes and to field competitive teams,” added Reynolds. “As they assume their separate coaching assignments, I am convinced that the McKendree soccer programs will continue to reflect the strong competitive tradition they are known for.“

In his 18 seasons as head coach of the men's program, Strange amassed a record of 225-126-23, three conference championships and one appearance at the NAIA National Championship. He was also named American Midwest Conference Coach of the Year for three consecutive seasons in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

Strange was chosen to lead the women's program in 1999 and has since built one of the most successful programs in the region. Strange led the women's program to 10 conference championships, seven NAIA National Championship appearances, and an overall record of 196-52-18. He was also named AMC Coach of the Year 10 times, including a string of eight consecutive awards from 2003-2010, and was named Region Coach of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America in both 2007 and 2008.

“In our transition into NCAA Division II and the Great Lakes Valley Conference, we felt it was a good time to split up the position,” said Strange. “The demands and responsibilities on us as coaches at the next level require much more time, and it would be a disservice to the players in our program to not have our full attention as coaches and mentors.”

“Both our men's and women's programs have had a lot of success and Donny's knowledge of the game has played a big part in that,” added Strange. “I have no doubt that he will continue to grow as a coach and lead the men's program to further success.”

Sheehan began as an assistant coach for both programs in 2002, working primarily with the goalkeepers, and also served as the head coach of the men's reserve soccer team.  During his tenure overseeing the goalkeepers, the men's and women's teams have posted overall goals-against averages of 1.19 and 0.88, respectively.

“I would like to thank President Dennis and Dr. Reynolds for this opportunity of leading the men's soccer program into the next chapter in McKendree athletics,” said Sheehan.  “Having been involved in the soccer program for 10 years, the support for athletics throughout the McKendree community is fantastic.  The team and I are well aware of the challenges that lie ahead in the Great Lakes Valley Conference and are ready to take on that challenge week in and week out.  Lastly, I would like to send out a special thanks to Tim Strange.  Having worked under Tim for the past 10 years, he has helped mold me into the coach I am today.” 

The men's soccer team posted a 17-1 record in 2011 to set a new school record for wins in a single season. The women's soccer team ended the season with a nine-game winning streak to finish with an overall record of 12-6.