Beckley, W.Va. – The WVU Tech athletic department is delighted to announce the hiring of Nick Semnani as the next head men's soccer coach.

Semnani joins the Golden Bear program after three seasons as lead assistant coach for Iowa Lakes Community College. He helped the team to the 2023 NJCAA National Championship and was part of the United Soccer Coaches Junior College Men's Soccer Coaching Staff of the Year the same season. Semnani also helped produce the 2023 United Soccer Coaches Junior College Player of the Year, Eugenio Perez, in 2023.

The Iowa Lakes CC team produced the two best season records in program history during the 2021 (18-4-1) and 2023 (17-3-2) while also attaining the highest team GPA of any men's sport at Iowa Lakes the past three years with assistance from Semnani.

Semnani also helped produce 12 All-Americans, 18 All-Region players, 15 Conference Players of the Week and five National Players of the week during his time at Iowa Lakes.

"I am both thrilled and honored to step into the role of head men's soccer coach at WVU Tech," stated Semnani. "I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be part of this esteemed program and community. I want to extend my sincere thanks to athletic director Kenneth Howell for his trust and support in giving me this role. I also want to thank assistant athletic director Garrett Gooseman and women's soccer head coach Kate Carr for their kindness and assistance during my transition to WVU Tech. I look forward to contributing to the success of our team and the WVU Tech community."

From 2018-2021 Semnani was the Director of Men's Soccer Operations for the Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo program, working directly under Steve Sampson, former US National Team, Costa Rica National Team and LA Galaxy head coach.

Semnani has over a decade of high school, club and academy coaching including Chivas USA Academy, Eagles Soccer Club, Ventura County United and Northwest Iowa Soccer Club.
 
Attending University of Santa Barbara, California, Semnani obtained his bachelors degree in philosophy (ethics and public policy) while minoring in exercise and sport studies. He then earned a master's degree in educational school and counseling psychology (positive coaching and athletic leadership) from the University of Missouri. Semnani has a US Soccer Federation National license among six other licenses and certifications.

The Golden Bears finished the 2023 season 14-5-2 overall and a showing at the NAIA National Championship after earning the title of River States Conference Championship.