CHARLESTON, S.C. – Ciaran (KEER-an) Traquair (track-WARE) has been named women's soccer head coach at The Citadel, Athletic Director Jim Senter announced Tuesday.
 
"Coach Traquair has been successful at every level, including as a player," Senter said. "He has orchestrated tremendous turnarounds as a head coach and has led each of his programs to new heights. When this search started, we were committed to finding a leader who could help our program rise to the next level on and off the field by embracing everything The Citadel has to offer athletically, academically and socially. Throughout the interview process, it became clear that Coach Traquair was the best person for our women's soccer team, and I'm looking forward to seeing the direction of our program under his leadership."
 
Coach Traquair brings nine years of collegiate coaching experience, including the last four as a head coach, to The Citadel. He spent the previous two seasons as head coach at Anderson University after a two-year stint in charge at Wesleyan College. His coaching career began as an assistant coach at Young Harris College and also includes time as an assistant coach at Shorter College.
 
"This is a tremendous opportunity for my family, and we are thrilled to be joining The Citadel," Coach Traquair said. "I believe I can really impact the campus community and get the program moving in the right direction. I have a really exciting challenge on my hands, but the program has great potential and I'm very eager to get going and meet the team. I would like to thank Jim Senter for giving me this opportunity, and I would also like to thank the search committee on their professionalism throughout this whole process. A special mention to my wife who continues to support my career moves and is very excited to become a Citadel fan. Go Bulldogs!"
 
Coach Traquair led Anderson to a program-record 14 wins in 2015 and a No. 8 ranking in the final NSCAA Southeast Region poll. The Trojans finished the season in the South Atlantic Conference Championship semifinal round with a 14-4-1 overall record and produced five All-SAC performers, the most in program history. Idoia Agirre was a first-team All-SAC selection after leading the conference with 22 goals and 51 points and notching seven assists to tie teammate Kenzie Van Heusen for second in the SAC. In 2014, his first season at the helm, he directed Lyssa Engle to SAC Freshman of the Year and first-team All-SAC honors while leading the Trojans to seven victories.
 
He formerly served as Director of Coaching for the Clemson Anderson Soccer Alliance, where he oversaw the day-to-day organization of the entire club. He implemented an academy and select curriculum and was also responsible for coaching education and player development and was the staff coach for U14 girl's select team.
 
Coach Traquair's first head coaching opportunity was at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia, where he turned the program from a 0-19 mark in 2012 to 9-9 in 2013. The Wolves' nine wins in 2013 were their most in 12 seasons and followed Coach Traquair bringing in the largest recruiting class in Wesleyan history to stabilize the program. Ten of his 17 signees earned all-conference recognition. During his time at Wesleyan, he also was the Director of Girls Select at Central Georgia Soccer Association where he coordinated weekly training sessions for several teams within the club. He worked with youth to high school athletes, including summer and preseason camps preparing high school prospects for the college level.
 
He began his coaching career in 2007 at Young Harris College in Young Harris, Georgia, as an assistant for the women's team. That year, the Mountain Lions won the Georgia Junior College Athletic Association championship and were ranked as high as No. 1 in the country.
 
In 2008, he returned to his alma mater, Shorter College, where he was an assistant coach for the men's team for two seasons. He worked with the goalkeepers and organized pre-game scouting reports. The Hawks won the 2008 SSAC regular season championship and earned an NAIA national ranking of No. 16.
 
In his final stop before taking the head coaching job at Wesleyan, Coach Traquair spent three seasons at Young Harris as an assistant with the men's soccer program. While with the Mountain Lions, he was a major part of putting together one of the top recruiting classes in Division II that eventually helped Young Harris climb to No. 1 in the final NSCAA regular season ranking. During his time at Young Harris, the Mountain Lions transitioned into Division II. He worked with the NCAA and the Young Harris compliance office to prepare the program for the move.
 
Coach Traquair has earned an NSCAA Premier Diploma, an NSCAA Advanced National Diploma, an NSCAA National Diploma and a Scottish Football Association – Early Touches E and D License. Also, he served as a select coach for the District Training Centre for Olympic Development Selection.
 
The Coatbridge, Scotland, native played at Shorter College in Rome, Georgia. He was a two-time team captain and was voted team MVP in each of his final three seasons. His senior season, he led the nation in assists during the regular season and was voted first-team all-conference. Following his collegiate playing career, he played for Mississippi Brilla FC in 2008 and for the National Professional Soccer League's Chattanooga FC in 2009 and 2010.
 
Coach Traquair earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Shorter in 2007 and a master's in business administration from Shorter in 2010. He is married to Lakyn, who was an All-American softball player at Shorter. The couple has one daughter, Caleigh.
 
For more information on The Citadel women's soccer, follow @CitadelWSoccer or visit CitadelSports.com.