Krystian Witkowski Named Head Coach of Fairfield Men’s Soccer

Witkowski most recently served as associate head coach at Northwestern University.

Fairfield University Vice President for Athletics Paul Schlickmann announced on Monday that Krystian Witkowski will serve as the next head coach of the Fairfield University Men's Soccer program. Witkowski brings extensive coaching experience to Stag Country, both at the Division I level and in professional ranks.

"After an extensive and highly competitive national search, I am excited to announce Krystian as the next head coach of our men's soccer program," Schlickmann said. "Krystian possesses a high soccer IQ, is an elite recruiter, and owns a clear track record of success at each step in his competitive and professional journey. Krystian articulated a comprehensive vision for Fairfield men's soccer to achieve competitive prominence with adherence to a modern, holistic, student-athlete approach that aligns seamlessly with our University values and our department culture. We are thrilled to welcome him, his wife Jessie, and their son Leo to our Stags family."

"We have terrific momentum within Athletics at this time and our Men's Soccer program is poised for success," said University President Mark R. Nemec. "Krystian's experience in Major League Soccer, his significant coaching contributions at Northwestern and Army West Point, and his deep commitment to the holistic formation of student-athletes, make him the perfect candidate for us. We are all very excited that Krystian will be joining us, and are confidently looking forward to making strides in the seasons to come."

Witkowski has spent the past three seasons as a member of the Northwestern University coaching staff, first as assistant coach before being promoted to associate head coach. The Wildcats achieved a great deal of success during his tenure, highlighted by the team's 10-4-3 overall record in 2023: the program's best mark since its 2008 campaign. As a result of that success, Northwestern garnered its highest United Soccer Coaches Poll ranking — number 12 — and was listed among the nation's top 25 in six of 11 weeks.

While the Wildcats received national recognition as a team, many of the student-athletes that Witkowski coached also earned national and regional honors individually. He mentored five All-North Region selections and numerous All-Big Ten picks during his stay. In his first two seasons with the program, Witkowski helped engineer nationally fifth-ranked (2022) and sixth-ranked (2023) recruiting classes.

"I am humbled and thrilled to have been selected as the next head men's soccer coach at Fairfield University," said Witkowski. "I want to express my deepest gratitude to President Nemec, Paul Schlickmann, Zach Dayton, and the entire search committee for entrusting me with the great responsibility of leading the next generation of Fairfield's men's soccer players. I would also like to thank Russell Payne for his unwavering support and mentorship throughout the years, and wish the Northwestern University men's soccer team continued success. We will build upon the strong foundation established by Carl Rees, guiding our student-athletes in their daily pursuit of excellence and achieving new heights both in the classroom and on the pitch. My family and I are eager to serve Fairfield University and the entire Fairfield community."

Prior to Northwestern, Witkowski's coaching résumé includes a four-year year stint at Army West Point, where he again built nationally ranked recruiting classes from 2020 to 2022. The Army program achieved unprecedented success during his tenure, finishing the 2018 season as the Patriot League Championship runner-up and earning the best RPI ranking in school history at number 19 out of 206 teams in 2017. Many student-athletes went on to collect honors during Witkowski's stay, including 11 All-Conference selections, three All-Academic choices, four All-Region picks, and two Regional All-America players.

Witkowski began his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater, Marist College, from 2013 to 2016. During his final year, the Red Foxes hosted their first-ever home playoff game in program history — the 2016 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship — after posting 11 wins.

The Rochester, N.Y. native made his mark in the professional ranks as well, serving as a performance analyst with the New York Red Bulls II. In that position, he analyzed footage for the purposes of scouting and match preparation, and studied on-field metrics to support player development. He also played a role in the planning and execution of New York Red Bulls II training sessions.

Witkowski spent one season with the Philadelphia Union after being selected in the 2012 Major League Soccer draft. His collegiate soccer career took place at Marist from 2008 to 2011, where was a three-time All-MAAC First Team student-athlete as well as a two-time NSCAA All-North Atlantic Region Second Team player. He secured three MAAC All-Academic Team honors and a slot on the CoSIDA Academic All-District teams in 2010 and 2011. He also played for the U-18 Polish National Team.

Witkowski earned his bachelor of science degree in criminal justice from Marist College in 2013, and his MS in sports management from Columbia University in 2016.

Krystian and his wife, Jessie, come to Fairfield with their son Leo Anthony Witkowski.

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