PORTLAND, Ore. – Nick Carlin-Voigt, who spent the past four years as the associate head coach for the UCLA Bruins, has been named the head coach of the University of Portland men's soccer program, Athletic Director Scott Leykam announced on Monday. Carlin-Voigt has helped build championship programs at both UCLA and George Mason where he brought in nationally ranked recruiting classes each of the last seven seasons.
 
"Nick is ready to be a head coach and we are fortunate to have him join our Portland family," Leykam said. "He is smart, passionate, organized and understands the great opportunity he has in front of him. Nick was highly recommended by many influential people in the American soccer ranks and has been mentored by top-tier head coaches. His recruiting pedigree speaks for itself and we are excited to see him bring Portland men's soccer back to the forefront of the conference and national scenes."
 
"I would like to personally thank President Fr. Mark Poorman, C.S.C., Scott Leykam, Buzz Stroud and the entire search committee for this incredible opportunity," Carlin-Voigt said. "It is an honor to be selected as the leader of the University of Portland men's soccer program. I will forever be grateful to all the coaches, players and administrators at UCLA and George Mason."

Carlin-Voigt, considered among the top recruiters and coaches in the country, helped put together the nation's number one recruiting class during each of the past three seasons at UCLA (2013, 2014 & 2015). Since arriving in Westwood, 11 Bruins have been drafted or signed into Major League Soccer, highlighted by 2014 MAC Hermann Trophy winner, Leo Stolz.

In 2012 the Bruins won the Pac-12 Championship while finishing with an overall record of 13-3-3. The Bruins reached the post-season all four years, grabbing the No. 1 overall seed in 2013 when UCLA finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the country by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). The Bruins finished with a 12-3-5 overall record and a 6-1-3 mark in the Pac-12 Conference and defeated four top-3 opponents during the course of the season, including top-ranked Indiana and California. In 2014 the Bruins advanced to the NCAA College Cup Championship in a game that was decided by penalty kicks. Carlin-Voigt had an influential role in building and coaching each of the teams that advanced further each year at the NCAA Championships from 2012 to 2014.
 
Carlin-Voigt brings a passion for teaching and champions a possession-based brand of attacking soccer that was instrumental in the growth of one of the nation's most explosive offenses. He primarily coached the attacking players in 2014 when the Bruins were the highest scoring team in the NCAA tournament with 11 goals in four games leading into the title game. The past year Carlin-Voigt coached the team to 47 goals, which ranked in the top three nationally for goals per game.  This past fall the Bruins were the only team in the country to have four players in the attack score 20 points or more and all of them were underclassmen.
 
Carlin-Voigt has been honored as one of College Soccer News' top-15 assistant coaches in the country in 2013 and 2014, when he was the only coach on the West Coast to earn that distinction. Carlin-Voigt was actively involved in all aspects of the UCLA soccer program, including player development, training, scouting, scheduling, soccer-specific fitness training, summer camp development and alumni and community outreach. As the academic liaison in 2013, he helped the Bruins claim the highest team grade-point average in the UCLA athletic department for first time in program history.
 
Prior to his stint at UCLA, Carlin-Voigt helped assemble three consecutive recruiting classes at George Mason that were ranked in the top 35. In 2008, he helped coach the Patriots to their first ever Colonial Athletic Association Conference Championship as his recruiting and coaching made immediate turnarounds as the Patriots had a nine-win improvement after his first recruiting cycle. His recruiting classes at George Mason were the foundation of the 2013 Patriots team which went on to win their first ever Atlantic-10 Conference Championship. Carlin-Voigt assisted with every aspect of the George Mason program led by former Major League Soccer Coach of the Year, Greg Andrulis.
 
Carlin-Voigt spent five years (2007-12) at George Mason, while also coaching the D.C. United Youth Academy Program (2007-10), where he helped mentor U.S. National Team Goalkeeper and D.C. United starter Bill Hamid. In addition to Hamid, who was named the 2014 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, Carlin-Voigt coached 30 NCAA Division I players with D.C. United.
 
While at George Mason Carlin-Voigt helped recruit 12 players with U.S. Youth National Team experience. Five players were either signed or drafted into the MLS while another seven played professional soccer abroad. Prior to his time at George Mason Carlin-Voigt was an assistant women's coach at University of Wisconsin (2005-06) where he helped the program win the Big Ten Championship.
 
Before his coaching career, Carlin-Voigt was an NSCAA All-American at Kalamazoo College, where he was a regular on the Dean's List and graduated cum laude with a degree in economics.  Considered one of the top goalkeepers in Division III soccer, he was a two-time team captain for Kalamazoo and a four-year starter, and he holds the Kalamazoo record for shutouts and saves.
 
Following his graduation in 2004, Carlin-Voigt had a short playing stint with Cruz Azul Oaxaca of the Mexican Second Division that was cut short due to a knee injury. From 2002-05, he played for the Kalamazoo Kingdom where he set franchise records as a goalkeeper for wins and shutouts during the 2004 season. He also saw time on trial with Osnabruck of the German third division in 2006. In 2013 Carlin-Voigt was called into camp with the United States National Beach Team.
 
An avid learner and student of the game, Carlin-Voigt has studied leadership development and coaching methods at professional clubs such as Real Madrid, Chelsea, Fulham and Santos. He also observed the U.S. National Team's preparations during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
 
Carlin-Voigt takes over a UP program rich in tradition. The Pilots claim renowned men's soccer alums Kasey Keller, Steve Cherundolo, Conor Casey, Heath Pearce, and reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Luis Robles.
 
In 1988, legendary coach Clive Charles led Keller and the Pilots to the school's first ever NCAA College Cup. Portland has been to two NCAA College Cups and has made 14 trips to the NCAA Men's Soccer Championships.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT NICK CARLIN-VOIGT

"Nick is one of the bright young coaches in the college game. No doubt he will bring a passion, work ethic and relentless drive that will benefit the University of Portland immensely."

- Caleb Porter, Head Coach, 2015 MLS Champion Portland Timbers


"Nick has a proven track record of recruiting top level talent to the college game. Portland is a fantastic opportunity for him to build his own program. I would expect Portland to be competing with top teams around the country under Nick's leadership in a short time."

- Chris Henderson, Sporting Director, Seattle Sounders FC


"I loved Nick from first time I met him. His energy, enthusiasm, knowledge and charisma is top one percent, which is why he has been able to recruit at such a high level. Nick is the hardest working guy I've ever worked with in my career and I've been around a long time. He brought us three straight elite recruiting classes, he brought that same ability to UCLA, and now he will do it at Portland. The main reason that he is a fantastic recruiter is because he has lots of integrity and trust with kids and their parents. I'm sure he will embrace the Portland culture and will have great success. He is a very dynamic, aggressive, passionate coach and Portland will benefit from his dedication and commitment. There was no question in my mind that he would become one of the best coaches in the country and I'm sure very good things will happen for the Portland program in a short amount of time."

- Greg Andrulis, Head Coach, George Mason University Men's Soccer and former Columbus Crew (MLS) Head Coach


"Nick is an excellent choice to lead the University of Portland Men's Soccer program. He has the leadership qualities to create a winning culture and will give his best to each student-athlete. He made a tremendous impact during his four years at UCLA and his contributions will be missed. I am very happy for Nick and wish him the best."

- Jorge Salcedo, Head Coach, UCLA Men's Soccer


"Nick's level of professionalism across the board is a huge benefit for the University of Portland as well as for the West Coast Conference. Having the opportunity to work closely with Nick I'm convinced he's going to help re-establish our league as we work together to be a power conference on the West Coast."

- Eddie Soto, Head Coach, University of San Francisco Men's Soccer


"Nick has always been a fantastic coach as he is very driven, a great communicator, and a leader both on and off the field. With his attention to detail and competitive nature, Nick served as a great model for our team. Congratulations to the University of Portland on its new appointment."

- Leo Stolz, 2014 MAC Hermann Trophy Winner, All-American and Pac-12 Player of the Year at UCLA


"I really enjoyed the three years I got to work with Nick. On a personal note he was always willing and able to provide me with whatever I needed to make me a better player. As for the program, he promised that he would be committed to bringing in the best talent and character and he provided that year after year. With his work ethic there is no doubt that he will find success at Portland, and they are lucky to have him."

- Earl Edwards, UCLA Men's Soccer All-American, current player for Orlando City (MLS)