Montgomery, Ala.—Auburn University Montgomery Interim Athletic Director Steve Crotz did not have far to go when he was looking for someone to take over the AUM men’s soccer program.  In fact, he looked directly across the parking lot as Wulf Koch will now take over the men’s program, relinquishing his duties as the AUM women’s soccer coach.

“After three years leading the development of our women’s soccer program into a regional and national contender, I am excited about Coach Koch taking over the helm as our head men’s soccer coach,” interim Athletic Director Steve Crotz said. “Wulf has extensive experience coaching men’s soccer and we are confident that under his guidance, AUM will continue the national prominence that our men’s program has enjoyed. I look forward to working with Wulf and supporting his efforts to maintain this championship level. Coach Koch demands excellence in the classroom, on the field and in the community.”

Koch will become the fifth head coach in the 22 years of AUM men’s soccer. He takes over the program for the departed Brett Teach who left to lead the men’s soccer program at NCAA Division II, Tusculum College.

“I am exited to take over one of the premier men’s soccer programs in the nation on any level,” Koch said. “Coach Teach has established a tremendous soccer culture here at AUM. I am honored by the trust the University has given me to lead such a great group of young men and to continue and build on the tradition of excellence that is present here at AUM, both in the classroom and on the soccer field.”

Koch spent three seasons overseeing the women’s program leading them to a 48-19-3 record. That includes an NAIA National Tournament Sweet 16 appearance in 2004 and a SSAC championship, an NAIA Region XIII Championship, two SSAC tournament runners up finishes and two NAIA Region XIII runners up finishes. In 2005, AUM finished the season ranked 13^th in the nation, the highest ranking finish in the history of the women’s program.

Koch has plenty of experience coaching on the men’s side, as he has coached men’s soccer for 12 years, beginning at his alma mater, the University of Maine-Fort Kent in 1991 and 1992. He then moved on to the University of Maine-Machias, where he led the men’s program for four seasons. He spent four seasons in South Dakota at National American University where he led the Mavericks to four consecutive NAIA post-season appearances, reaching the NAIA Region III semi-finals all four seasons, and advancing on to the NAIA National Tournament once.

While at NAU, Koch was selected the 1998 NAIA and NSCAA Regional Coach-of-the-Year and the 2000 NAIA Region III Sectional Coach-of-the-Year.

Koch then moved on to Spring Hill College where he coached both the Spring Hill men’s and women’s soccer programs for two seasons before moving to AUM. Overall, Koch has recorded a 71-50-4 record in six years of coaching women’s programs. He has recorded an overall record of 111-104-11 in coaching men’s programs.

Koch will begin his duties with the men’s program immediately and AUM will begin a national search to find a head women’s soccer coach.

TRANSACTIONS: Wulf Koch has been named head coach of the Auburn University Montgomery men’s soccer program.