One year after welcoming 16 newcomers to his program, UNCW head Coach Aidan Heaney, the 2008 Colonial Athletic Association Coach-of-the-Year, guided the Seahawks to the regular season title and enters his ninth season looking to build upon that success.

    The 2008 season was a tremendous one for UNCW as it captured its first regular season title after topping the standings with 7-4 record. Led by CAA Player-of-the-Year Devan Carroll and CAA Defender-of-the-Year Indy Smith, the Seahawks also returned to the national rankings and finished 48th in the RPI. For his efforts, Heaney earned his second Coach-of-the-Year honor.

    In 2007, UNCW’s 16 rookies were the second most in the nation, but the Seahawks were able to close out the season with a pair of impressive wins over James Madison and a road victory at Georgia State. The Seahawks played four teams that reached the NCAA tournament, dropping a pair of 1-goal decisions to Campbell and Liberty.

    The Seahawks closed out the 2006 campaign ranked 47th in the RPI and knocked off No. 3 Duke and No. 19 Old Dominion; both on the road. Heaney’s club won two tournaments - the College of Charleston’s Invitational and the UNCW-Jameson Inn Classic - and finished with an 11-7-1 overall record.

    During Heaney’s tenure, 15 Seahawks have earned All-Colonial honors, including three in 2008, when Brian Harrison joined Carroll and Smith on the all-conference squads by earning a spot on the All-Rookie squad.

    Brad Knighton became the first Seahawk to sign a Major League Soccer contract when he inked a deal with the New England Revolution in the spring of 2007.

    In addition to Knighton’s signing with the New England Revolution, three other former charges have gone on to play professionally following their careers in Heaney’s program. Justin Schatz played with the Wilmington Hammerheads of the USL in 2001. Keith Shevlin followed by signing with Cork City FC of the Eircom League in Ireland. Two-time All-CAA midfielder Chris Murray was signed by the Hammerheads during the spring of 2008.

    In 2005, the Seahawks reached the semifinals of the CAA Tournament for the first time in school history. In a quarterfinal match at nationally-ranked Old Dominion, UNCW jumped in front of the Monarchs, but was unable to hold onto the lead as ODU notched a pair of goals in the final 17 minutes for the win to advance to the finals.

    In seven seasons under the direction of Heaney, UNCW has earned a reputation as a giant-killer following wins over nationally-ranked teams. In 2005, UNCW vaulted past #1 ranked and undefeated UNC Greensboro, 3-2. It marked the second straight season UNCW edged its in-state rival. In 2004, the Seahawks fashioned a 2-1-2 mark against nationally-ranked opposition with wins over top-ranked UNCG and 12th-ranked Old Dominion. The Seahawks added draws against No. 9 UNC Chapel Hill and No. 16 VCU. The only loss was a 2-1 setback to eighth-ranked William & Mary.

    Heaney, 39, led the Seahawks to a 12-6-2 record in 2004 and was named the Colonial Athletic Association’s Coach-of-the-Year by his peers. The Seahawks climbed as high as 25th in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll following a 3-2 upset of top-ranked UNC Greensboro.

    The Seahawks have made a steady climb to the upper echelon of the CAA under Heaney. In 2003, the Seahawks reached the CAA Tournament following a two-year absence and reached the South Atlantic Regional rankings en route to a 10-7-3 mark.

    As a player, Heaney powered UNC Charlotte’s 49ers to their first NCAA Tournament in 1991. He was a two-time team Most Valuable Player and an Academic All-American. He still holds the record for career shutouts and goals against average.

    Heaney then led the Greensboro Dynamo to a pair of national titles in the USISL in 1993 and 1994, being named Atlantic Division Goalkeeper-of-the-Year in 1993 and team MVP and Defensive MVP in 1994.

    During a stint with Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution in 1996-97, Heaney started 19 games, finishing fifth in the league in goals against average. Heaney began his professional career in Germany in 1992 before moving to MLS.

    Heaney served as an assistant coach at UNC Chapel Hill from 1995-96, where he was involved in all phases of the program. National Team member Eddie Pope was a first-team All-ACC selection that season. Joining Pope on the Tar Heel roster during that time span were Carey Talley (Real Salt Lake), Kerry Zavagnin (Kansas City) and Eddie Robinson (US National team).

    He moved on to Penn State from 1997-99 and the Nittany Lions finished in the top 20 and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Heaney sharpened his coaching and teaching skills under the direction of Barry Gorman, who is considered one of the foremost teachers of the game in the country.

    Heaney then moved to Boone, N.C., where he coached two years at Appalachian State before taking over the helm at UNCW. In Boone, Heaney helped the Mountaineers compile a 13-7-0 record in 2000 and advance to the championship game of the Southern Conference tourney.

    The Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, native earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from UNC Charlotte in 1992. He holds an FA Preliminary Badge, NSCAA Premier Badge and USSF “A” Coaching License. He currently is a North Carolina ODP coach and serves as Region III Staff Coach in the 1992 age group.

    Heaney is married to the former Dr. Stephanie Freccia, of Fayetteville, N.C. and they have a seven-month old daughter, Maeve Claire.