Head Coach Rich Ilsley enters his 21st season as the Adelphi University Head Women's Soccer Coach. In the Panthers' second season in the Northeast-10, Isley led the Panthers back to the Northeast-10 Conference Tournament. Adelphi finished the season with an 8-8-1 overall record and a 8-7 mark in league action. In 2010, the Panthers landed four players on the All-Conference teams and one on the All-Rookie squad. Also, Isley had one of his players named to the 2010 NSCAA/Performance Subaru NCAA Division II Women's All-East Region Second-Team. For the ninth straight season, Isley's team has been recognized by the National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA) for its team academic excellence, posting a 3.3 grade point average.
Coach Isley led the Panthers to a 10-5-3 overall record in 2009 with an 8-5-2 league record in their first year in the Northeast-10 Conference. Isley had three girls receive All-Northeast-10 second-team honors, as well as two on the Northeast-10 Fall All-Academic Women's Soccer Team.
In 2008, Ilsley guided the Panthers to a 14-4-1 overall record, 8-3 in the ECC while placing seven on the All-Conference teams, one on the All-Region team, and NSCAA Academic honors as a team.
The Panthers have reached the NCAA Division II tournament in ten of Ilsley's 18 years as the head coach at Adelphi University. He has accumulated a 316-87-35 overall career record in 22 seasons as a head coach and produced eight All-Americans and 42 All-Northeast Region players. His coaching honors include three East Coast Conference (ECC) Coach of the Year awards and a Northeast Region Coach of the Year in 1990.
In 2004, the Panthers claimed their third straight ECC Regular Season crown and made their first NCAA Division II Championship appearance since 1992. The Panthers 20-4-1 overall record eclipsed the previous school record of 18 wins in a season. Ilsley led the Panthers to a first-ever tournament championship after defeating top-ranked LIU-Southampton. Adelphi holds an impressive 111-14-2 final ECC record in their 14 year tenure.
Over the past 19 seasons at Adelphi, Ilsley has amassed a 259-75-28 record. Entering the 2008 season, Ilsley's winning percentage ranks 13th on the NCAA's All-Division winningest coaches list and second at the Division II level. During his tenure at Adelphi, the Panthers have appeared in the top 20 in the NCAA Division II Final Coaches poll a total of eight times in the last 15 years, ranking as high as second in 2004.
In addition to their athletic success, Ilsley's teams also earn academic honors as well. The team has received the NSCAA Academic Team award for maintaining a 3.0 or higher grade point average a total of 14 times during his tenure at Adelphi. In addition, 14 players have earned CoSida Academic All-District recognition.
Overall, Ilsley has led 13 of his 17 Adelphi teams to post-season play. The Panthers have earned bids to the NCAA Division II tournament in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2007 as well as the ECAC Division II tournament in 1993, reaching the championship game. Ilsley led the Panthers all the way to the NCAA Championship game in 1992 and again in 2004, finishing runners-up on both occasions. Adelphi also advanced to the 1990 and 1991 NCAA tournament semi-finals.
After taking a one-year leave of absence from coaching (1995), Ilsley returned and guided Adelphi to a remarkable turnaround and yet another NCAA tournament appearance in 1996. For his efforts, he was named the ECC Coach of the Year. The Panthers went from nine wins in 1995 to 16 in 1996, setting a school record for victories in a season later surpassed by the 1997 team (18-2). Ilsley was again honored by the ECC, being named Co-Coach of the Year in 1999.
Prior to Adelphi, Ilsley's served as the women's coach at Nassau Community College for four years (1986-89) and compiled a 57-12-7 record. The Lions finished second twice at the National Junior College Championship (1987, 1988). Ilsey was named the NSCAA National Coach of the Year in 1987. Ilsley started his coaching career at Hewlett High School, compiling a 165-45-18 career record in 16 years.
A Queens, N.Y. native, Ilsley earned both his Bachelor's and Master's degree in physical education and health from Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C.
In 2005, Ilsley retired from the Hewlett-Woodmere School district after 36 years of service and joined the Adelphi staff on a full-time basis as an Assistant Athletic Director. His primary role, aside from coaching, encompasses coordinating housing and transportation for the athletic department as well as scheduling for women's lacrosse and golf. He also serves on the Adelphi Safety Committee.
