Holy Cross head men’s soccer coach Ted Priestly has announced his resignation. He will be leaving the Crusaders to accept a newly created position as director of athletic development at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell.

 

“I would like to thank Holy Cross and Dick Regan for giving me the opportunity to lead the Holy Cross men’s soccer program for these past three years,” said Priestly. “I also appreciate all of the support I received from Fr. McFarland during my time at Holy Cross. My new position as director of athletic development at UMass-Lowell offers me an opportunity to help organize and develop the River Hawk athletic alumni community, and give back to a university and city that has already given me so much. I have built relationships with our players, coaches, parents, alumni, faculty and staff at Holy Cross that will last a lifetime, and my family and I will always have a special place in our heart for Holy Cross. We wish everyone at Holy Cross the very best of everything in the future.”

 

Priestly has served as the Crusaders’ head coach since 2009, leading the team to an overall record of 11-33-7 and a 5-13-3 mark in the Patriot League. He had 20 players selected to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll during his three seasons at Holy Cross. Priestly’s career record stands at 142-109-35, including 12 seasons as the head coach at UMass-Lowell.

 

“I am very sorry to see Ted leave Holy Cross, but when I understood the opportunity that was presented to him, I realized he had to take it,” said Holy Cross athletic director Richard M. Regan, Jr. “It’s a position that suits his skills very well. I wish that such an opportunity had come along a year or two later but none of us can control the timing of such things. He has assembled great young talent on the current team and by all accounts, the incoming class entering this fall is very strong. This program is heading in the right direction and it will be his legacy. I wish Ted the best and I am confident he will do very well in this exciting challenge.”

 

Holy Cross will immediately commence a national search for Priestly’s replacement.