March 9, 2005

Dan Abdalla, the head women's soccer coach at UNLV, has been named head women's soccer coach at TCU, Horned Frogs' Athletics Director Eric Hyman announced today. Abdalla replaces David Rubinson, who resigned earlier this year, as just the second women's soccer coach in TCU history.

"We had tremendous interest in this position from across the country with many excellent candidates," said Hyman. "We are excited to have Dan join the TCU family. He is a highly energetic coach and a proven communicator with championship experience."

Abdalla has guided the UNLV program for the past five years, posting an overall record of 54-38-8, for a .580 winning percentage. The 30-year old coach posted at least a .500 record in each of his five campaigns despite taking over a program that had been in existence for just two years prior to his taking over the reins. Under his tutelage, a dozen Rebels have earned all-conference distinction and he mentored the school's only WUSA draft pick. He served as an assistant coach at UNLV for one season before assuming the head coaching duties prior to spring practice in 2000.

During his tenure at UNLV, Abdalla's squads consistently showed improvement. In his debut as a Division I head coach during the 2000 season, the Rebels posted an 11-9 overall record, including a 7-1 mark at home, their best season mark since the program's inception in 1998. Abdalla posted his first collegiate coaching win on August 25, 2000, a 3-1 victory over Cal State Fullerton.

In 2001, the Rebels claimed a school record 12 victories, reaching the MWC championship game for the first time in school history. His 2002 squad reached double figures in wins for the third straight year. In 2003, the Rebels finished with a 9-9-3 record against one of the toughest schedules in the program's history. In addition Abdalla helped Annii Magliulo become the first Rebel to earn all-region honors following the season.

Last season UNLV claimed its first Mountain West Conference regular season title with a 5-1 league mark, and was selected as an at-large team to its first NCAA tournament after being picked fourth in the league in the pre-season coaches' poll. The Rebels lost a 1-0 double overtime decision to 21st-ranked San Diego in the first round of the NCAA tournament to finish the season with a 12-5-2 overall record. The 12 wins matched the school record set in 2001. Three UNLV players were named to the first team all-conference squad and were members of the Soccer Buzz all-West Region team, led by league Offensive Player of the Year Annii Magliulo. In addition, Abdalla was named the MWC Coach of the Year and was the runnerup for regional Coach of the Year honors.

A four-year letterwinner and starting goalkeeper for the UNLV men's soccer team from 1994-97, Abdalla set a pair of school records during his playing career. He registered 321 saves and nine shutouts over 68 games for an impressive 1.95 goals against average and logged a school record 101 saves in a season.

Abdalla returned to his alma mater in 1999 after a two-year professional stint with the Orange County Zodiac of the A league, an affiliate of the MLS Los Angeles Galaxy.

The Mission Viejo, Calif., native is a 1997 graduate of UNLV, earning a bachelor's degree in communications. He and his wife, Jennifer, currently reside in Las Vegas.

RECORD:

YEAR SCHOOL RECORD

2000 UNLV 11-9-0

2001 UNLV 12-7-2

2002 UNLV 10-8-1

2003 UNLV 9-9-3

2004 UNLV 12-5-2

TOTALS Five Years 54-38-8

EXPERIENCE:

UNLV Assistant Women's Soccer Coach 1999

UNLV Head Women's Soccer Coach 2000-2004

EDUCATION:

UNLV Bachelor of Arts - Communications 1997