<p>EDWARDSVILLE, ILL. &ndash; One of the items on the wish list for every head coach is to have assistants who can raise the program to another level.</p> <div>&nbsp;</div> <p>That's what SIUE men's soccer believes it has with the addition of Scott Donnelly as the new associate head coach.</p> <div>&nbsp;</div> <p>Donnelly comes to SIUE after serving the last three seasons as the associate head coach at Northern Illinois University. He also was a three-year head coach at NCAA Division II Mars Hill (N.C.) College from 2007 to 2009.</p> <div>&nbsp;</div> <p>He replaces Jeremy Alumbaugh who recently resigned to take a more prominent role at St. Louis Scott Gallagher Metro.</p> <div>&nbsp;</div> <p>"First of all, I want to thank Jeremy Alumbaugh for the last two years he has spent with our program. He was instrumental in helping bring in our current group of players and did a fantastic job on and off the field representing SIUE. I want to wish him and his family the best of luck in the future," said SIUE Head Coach Kevin Kalish.</p> <div>&nbsp;</div> <p>Donnelly helped lead NIU to a record-setting 2011 season in winning the Mid-American Conference Championship, a program-best 15 games, and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship. The Huskies were nationally ranked throughout the season, reaching as high as No. 13 in the country, with RPI rankings as high as No. 16. NIU finished with a 34-20-3 mark over the past three seasons and have been nationally ranked each year.</p> <div>&nbsp;</div> <p>"We are extremely excited to bring on a coach of Scott's caliber into our program. &nbsp;Scott is an outstanding coach and recruiter who has a proven track record of developing accomplished student-athletes on and off the field," Kalish said.</p> <div>&nbsp;</div> <p>As the recruiting coordinator at NIU, Donnelly has attracted a wealth of talent for the Huskies through three nationally-recognized recruiting classes. His 2012 recruiting efforts at NIU yielded a class regarded as one of the best in the nation.&nbsp; College Soccer News named NIU's 2010 class a "Top 40" recruiting class, and the 2011 class included NIU's first US Soccer youth national team player.</p> <div>&nbsp;</div> <p>"He will play a vital role in all aspects of running the program and help us contend for future championships. We couldn't be happier with his decision to come join the SIUE soccer family," said Kalish.</p> <div>&nbsp;</div> <p>Donnelly's credentials include a USSF "A" License and the NSCAA Premier Diploma.</p> <div>&nbsp;</div> <p>Donnelly graduated with a double major in English Literature and Spanish Language from the State University of New York, Geneseo in 2002 and earned an MA in European History from Washington College in 2005. He played as a collegian at SUNY Geneseo and Binghamton University as well as one season as a professional in the USL Second Division.</p> <div>&nbsp;</div> <p>"First off, I'd like to thank Kevin, his staff, and Dr. Brad Hewitt for the opportunity to join such a storied program and excellent institution at SIUE. Kevin and I talked at length during this process about philosophy, style, and where SIUE men's soccer is headed. I'm excited to work with such a knowledgeable and respected leader in continuing the process of elevating SIUE men's soccer to national prominence.&nbsp; All of the ingredients are here, and I can't wait to get started," said Donnelly.</p>