University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Derek Neidlinger Announced as Assistant Men's Soccer Coach
06.25.2025 | Men's Soccer
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Derek Neidlinger has been named the new Assistant Coach for UNC Asheville Men's Soccer, announced by head coach Danny Frid today (Wednesday, June 25).
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Neidlinger joins Frid's staff from Old Dominion, where he had been an assistant coach for the past two seasons. In Neidlinger's two seasons on staff at ODU, the program has bolstered its national presence in recruiting while also achieving a 10-match unbeaten streak which was the longest for the program since 2004. Neidlinger serves as the lead recruiter on ODU's current recruiting class which ranks No. 24 in Division I, while the team also achieved a Top-40 recruiting class ranking last season by Top Drawer Soccer.
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"I am super excited to be adding Derek to our staff," said Frid. "His work ethic, drive and character really separated himself during the hiring process. His character aligns with our values within UNC Asheville Athletics and our student-athletes will be benefit greatly from working with him!"
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Prior to joining the staff at his alma mater, Neidlinger served as an assistant coach at Windsor High School. As a player at ODU, he was a two-time Conference USA Academic Honor Roll selection. Prior to joining the Monarchs, Neidlinger was the Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year, a First Team All-Region and Second Team All-America selection and a First Team Scholar All-American at Santa Rosa College in 2019.
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"I couldn't be more excited to join the UNC Asheville Athletic Department and the Asheville community," said Neidlinger. "This is one of the largest growing soccer markets in the US and I can't wait to help Coach Frid grow the UNC Asheville Men's Soccer program both on and off the field. I am extremely grateful to Coach Frid and the university for the opportunity and am excited to get to work."
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Neidlinger holds a bachelor's degree in sport management from Old Dominion (2022) and a master's in business administration from Corban University (2023). He is also currently pursuing his United States Soccer Federation (USSF) D License.
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Neidlinger joins Frid's staff from Old Dominion, where he had been an assistant coach for the past two seasons. In Neidlinger's two seasons on staff at ODU, the program has bolstered its national presence in recruiting while also achieving a 10-match unbeaten streak which was the longest for the program since 2004. Neidlinger serves as the lead recruiter on ODU's current recruiting class which ranks No. 24 in Division I, while the team also achieved a Top-40 recruiting class ranking last season by Top Drawer Soccer.
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"I am super excited to be adding Derek to our staff," said Frid. "His work ethic, drive and character really separated himself during the hiring process. His character aligns with our values within UNC Asheville Athletics and our student-athletes will be benefit greatly from working with him!"
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Prior to joining the staff at his alma mater, Neidlinger served as an assistant coach at Windsor High School. As a player at ODU, he was a two-time Conference USA Academic Honor Roll selection. Prior to joining the Monarchs, Neidlinger was the Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year, a First Team All-Region and Second Team All-America selection and a First Team Scholar All-American at Santa Rosa College in 2019.
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"I couldn't be more excited to join the UNC Asheville Athletic Department and the Asheville community," said Neidlinger. "This is one of the largest growing soccer markets in the US and I can't wait to help Coach Frid grow the UNC Asheville Men's Soccer program both on and off the field. I am extremely grateful to Coach Frid and the university for the opportunity and am excited to get to work."
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Neidlinger holds a bachelor's degree in sport management from Old Dominion (2022) and a master's in business administration from Corban University (2023). He is also currently pursuing his United States Soccer Federation (USSF) D License.
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