E-mail Coach McLain
Coaching veteran Chris McLain enters his second season as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at Ohio State after spending 11 seasons as associate head coach at Colgate.
McLain immediately had an impact in his first season as an assistant in Columbus, helping the Buckeyes to an NCAA-best seven-win improvement in 2015 as the team went 13-7-3 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Ohio State finished the season ranked 21st in the RPI and knocked off SEC champion Florida and ACC powerhouse Virginia Tech, a pair of Top 15 RPI teams. Devon Kerr and Sarah Roberts were named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team while Michela Paradiso and Nichelle Prince were both named third team All-Great Lakes Region.
In his time on head coach Kathy Brawn’s staff at Colgate, McLain helped guide the Raiders to more than 100 wins, five Patriot League regular season championships and three Patriot League tournament titles. In addition, McLain helped lead the Raiders to three berths in the NCAA Tournament.
McLain recruited three Patriot League Offensive Players of the year, one Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year, three conference tournament Most Valuable Players and six Patriot League Freshmen of the Year.
“I am thrilled to have Chris on our staff as the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator,” head coach Lori Walker said. “After spending quality time with Chris and his wife, Claire, my decision was a no brainer! Chris is a classy, seasoned professional who has shown a deep level of loyalty and commitment to Colgate for 11 years. His high standards, integrity, personal character and values match our program perfectly. Chris has proven success recruiting the most talented on the field and in the classroom. He has been an integral part of the winning tradition at Colgate and I look forward to blending his on field talents with the rest of my staff. Chris’ enthusiasm to step up to this new challenge as a Buckeye is infectious.”
The soccer program at Colgate reached heights previously unseen at the Patriot League school during McLain’s 11 years. In his first season at Colgate in 2004, McLain helped the Raiders to a 13-7-2 record, Patriot League regular season and tournament championships and a win over No. 17 and Pac-10 champion Arizona in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, marking the first tournament win in Patriot League and program history. The Raiders went on to win Patriot League regular season championships again in 2005, 2009 and 2011 along with Patriot League tournament championships in 2009 and 2012. In all, Colgate compiled a 118-77-20 record with McLain on the staff.
In addition to his duties at Colgate, McLain has been a strong promoter of youth soccer and has been active in the Olympic Development Program. He has served stints on the Antigua National Team staff in 2012 and the U-18 U.S. National Team staff in 2008.
Before his time at Colgate, McLain served two seasons as head coach of the women’s soccer team at his alma mater, Eastern Nazarene. McLain, who has a bachelor’s degree in general sciences, holds an Advanced National Diploma from the National Soccer Coaching Association of America (NSCAA) and a U.S. Soccer Federation “A” Coaching License.
McLain and his wife, Claire, are parents of three children: Maeghan, Gavin and Caitlin.
