Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
PORTALES — Eastern New Mexico University has added a former Division II assistant and junior college head coach with a track record for turning programs around.
Jon Fridal is coming to the Greyhound men’s soccer program, with university officials hoping he can create the same success for the green and silver.
“We are excited to bring Jon aboard the Greyhound coaching staff,” ENMU Athletic Dierctor Greg Waggoner said. “John has proven success as a head coach and as a coach in the NCAA Division II. He is a strong recruiter and he has demonstrated success with developing a culture of expectations for student-athletes compatible with our values and goals. I am confident that Greyhound Men’s Soccer is in good hands for years to come.”
Fridal led Indian Hills Community College to an 18-3 record last season, including 8-1 in the Iowa Community College Athletic Association. It reached its first national tournament berth and first national ranking in school history.
He was selected as NJCAA Region XI Coach of the Year and NJCAA Great Lakes District Coach of the Year, while his staff was chosen as the United Soccer Coaches North Region Staff of the Year.
Fridal also spent time as an assistant at Division II schools Alderson-Broaddus and Marysville.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity and can’t wait to get started,” Fridal said. “ENMU is a special place with strong leadership that has installed a culture of success and I can’t wait to be a part of that. My time at ABU was a great experience with a Division II program. They were a three-win team when I arrived with the new coach. In my time there we turned things around quickly and made playoffs in the first year. We lost the conference championship game in PK’s in year two. That was my first experience in turning a team around and at Indian Hills we took it to the next level.”
His playing career including Division I schools St. Francis and Western Illinois, and a professional career with indoor teams St. Louis Illusion, Illinois Piasa and St. Louis Ambush.
