Danny Frid - Men's Soccer Coach - UNC Asheville Athletics

Danny Frid

Title:
Head Coach
Email:
dfrid@unca.edu
Phone:
251-6938

Danny Frid was named the new Head Men's Soccer Coach for UNC Asheville, announced on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 by Director of Athletics Janet R. Cone. Frid becomes the ninth head coach in program history.

Frid comes to Asheville from Missouri State, where he has served as the Associate Head Coach this past season, and has been a part of the coaching staff since Jan. 2023. During his two-year stint at Missouri State, the Bears had back-to-back 12-win seasons and accumulated a two-year record of 24-8-5. This past year, Frid helped lead the team to going undefeated in regular-season conference play to secure the program's 12th Missouri Valley Conference regular-season championship. Frid helped guide the Bears to their sixth straight NCAA Tournament and ninth all-time. Missouri State earned a national seed and first-round bye in the tournament, hosting a tournament game for the second straight season and fourth time in program history against Kansas City on Nov. 24, 2024.

In his first season with the Bears, Frid helped Missouri State to a 12-4-3 record and reach its fifth straight NCAA Tournament and eighth all-time. He also helped the Bears win their third-ever NCAA Tournament game against Omaha on Nov. 16, 2023.

Before going to Missouri State, Frid served as the head coach of Mid-America Christian University where he saw the Evangels become one of the elite programs in the NAIA, amassing an overall record of 38-3-3, including an unblemished 15-0-3 record in Sooner Athletic Conference play to win both the league's regular season and tournament titles in 2021 and 2022.

In 2022, MACU wrapped up the year with a 19-2-2 record and achieved many firsts, including reaching the No. 1 ranking in the NAIA Top 25 Coaches' Poll for the first time in program history and just the second team in the SAC to ever reach the top spot. The Evangels also won their third straight SAC Tournament title after putting together a dominant 3-0 victory in the final. Frid's men lost in the Elite 8 as the No. 1-ranked team.

In his first year with the program in 2021, Mid-America Christian put together their first-ever undefeated run through the regular season as the Evangels amassed a 16-0-1 record before starting a strong SAC Tournament run. MACU outscored its opponents 10-0 in the SAC tourney as the program claimed its third tournament title in a row. The Evangels concluded the year with their winningest season in program history with a 19-1-1 (.929) overall mark.

Originally from Northamptonshire, England, Frid was the top assistant at MACU in 2019 and 2020 after working as a club coach for the Oklahoma Energy and Sporting Oklahoma in various roles since 2014. Throughout his career, Frid has developed numerous NAIA All-Americans, an NAIA 1st team All-American, and was named Sooner Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in both 2021 and 2022.

Frid returned to Springfield after playing under current MSU head coach Michael Seabolt and former MSU head coach Jon Leamy for one season in 2011. He appeared in all 19 matches for the Bears, scoring a goal in a win over Drake in a match that helped MSU clinch a share of the MVC regular season title.

Frid is married to his wife, Jordan, and the couple has three kids.

What they're saying about Danny Frid:

"I was lucky enough to accidentally hire Danny and give him his first collegiate head coaching opportunity, and working with him was a terrific experience. He proved to be extremely organized and driven, while also genuinely caring for the people, the campus community, and the greater OKC area. At the NAIA level, we've had a lot of success across various sports and have seen several head coaches move on to NCAA Division I and professional ranks—including some Hall of Famers—but in all sincerity, Danny is the highest achiever I've ever been around. His tireless work ethic and relentless pursuit of excellence in all areas set him apart, and I've always admired his ability to bring out the best in those around him by setting the premier example of professionalism and dedication. I also appreciated his consistent efforts to involve the campus and local community in the program's success; under his leadership, engagement from youth clubs, families, donors, and university supporters soared. I think the absolute world of Danny as both a human being and a coach—he is a true WINNER, not just on the pitch but in every aspect of mentoring college athletes and leading a program."

Marcus Moeller
Mid-America Christian University Athletic Director

"I have known and worked with Danny over the years! He is a true players' coach—he understands not just the game, but the person behind the athlete. A proven head coach already- his commitment and genuine values to developing student-athletes on and off the field separates him from many. I am excited to see Danny and his new program soar!"

Johnny Torres
Creighton Head Coach

"Danny is a top coach and a great friend. He was a good player for the Bears and equally an excellent coach. He has been a head coach before in the NAIA and will thrive in the role. He is also a top recruiter. His wife Jordan and their young family will make Asheville home; I have no doubt they will equally love UNCA and be loved by the community. We ask all the Missouri State Men's Soccer Bears to chase excellence while being a good person, and Danny is a tremendous example. We wish him the very best."

Michael Seabolt
Missouri State Head Coach

"Danny is an experienced and proven coach who understands what it takes to win in college soccer. His incredible work ethic, passion for developing student-athletes, and soccer pedigree will position him well for sustainable success. He is a tremendous person, leader and man of character. I look forward to watching his teams compete for championships and thrive under his guidance."

Kevin Kalish
Saint Louis University Head Coach