Entering his 14th season as head coach of the Women’s Soccer Program at the University of Bridgeport in the Fall of 2012, Magnus Nilerud continues to elevate the profile of the University of Bridgeport both regionally and nationally. In 2007 Nilerud led the program to its first-ever NCAA appearance, and in 2008 the team reached the NCAA Round of 16 and posted a school record 18 wins.  In 2009, the Purple Knights captured the school's first-ever ECC title and reached the NCAA Championshp for the third consecutive year, hosting first and second round matches at Knights Field.  In 2010, he guided the Purple Knights to their fourth straight NCAA appearance and the team advanced to the second round with a first round victory over Franklin Pierce. In 2010, UB posted an impressive 14-4-2 overall record.  In 2011, the Purple Knights had a 16-0-2 record and were ranked number one in the nation for six weeks during the regular season and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Tournament for the fifth conseuctive year.  In 2011, Nilerud also earned recognition as the NSCAA East Region Coach of the Year.

After inheriting a team in transition in 1999, Nilerud has systematically built a program that is nationally recognized, regionally respected and among the elite in the East Coast Conference. He has taken the Women’s Program at the University of Bridgeport and built into one of the premiere programs in the Northeast. Not one to settle for comparisons to others who have gone before him, Nilerud has taken the program and constructed it using his own vision for a collegiate women’s soccer program. And this vision has been impressive. Nilerud broke the existing record for most career wins by a head coach in Bridgeport Women’s Soccer history within his first four seasons. Nilerud reached his 50th career victory in his sixth season as head coach and his 100th career victory a mere three seasons later. In his 11 seasons, he averages over 14 wins a season and an impressive 15 wins per season in his last eight.

Nilerud’s overall record of 165-82-15 ranks in the top five in the East Region in both winning percentage and career wins among active coaches. He is one of only five active coaches in the East region with at least 100 career victories.

Magnus, in his 12 seasons as a head coach has finished with a team ranked nationally in Division II in goals per game five times, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010; a team ranked nationally in Division II in fewest goals surrendered per game three times, 2004, 2008, 2010, and a team among those with the best overall wining percentage in Division II four times, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010.

In 13 seasons as a head coach, Nilerud has coached 61 All-Conference players including four Conference Rookies of the Year players, four Defensive Playesr of the year and four Offensive Players of the Year, 27 National Soccer Coaches Association of America NCAA Division II All-Region players, 16 Daktronics Women’s Soccer All-Northeast Region Team players, one Daktronics Division II Women’s Soccer Northeast Region Player of the Year, seven ESPN The Magazine Academic District One Women’s Soccer Team players, four NSCAA NCAA Division II All-America players, six NSCAA NCAA Division II Scholar All-America players and four  Daktronics NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer All-America player. In addition, he has coached 11 consecutive NSCAA Women’s Academic Award Teams.

Nilerud has qualified for every conference post season tournament in his time at the helm of the University of Bridgeport. He has led the University of Bridgeport Women’s Soccer program to regional or national post season play for nine consecutive seasons. His record in regional post season play stands at an impressive 9-5-2 with two Division II ECAC Championships. His overall record in NCAA post season play stands at 3-3-2.

 

Magnus is a native of Sweden and graduated from the University of Bridgeport in 1999 with a degree in Marketing. He was a standout soccer player for the Purple Knights from 1995 to 1999. As a four-year starter and captain, Nilerud was a two-time All-New England Conference selection, and was selected to play in the Senior Bowl.

He is very active in the community and is the Director of Coaching of the Trumbull United Soccer Club, Connecticut. He is also a member of the Connecticut Olympic Development Program staff.  He holds a SFF (Swedish Football Federation) B License, a USSF C License and a NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma.

Nilerud resides in Hamden Connecticut with his wife; Sharon, also a University of Bridgeport Alum; and their three daughters, Isabelle, Sofia and Lilliana.