Kevin Kalish, a Saint Louis University alumnus and Billiken All-American, has been named head coach of the Billikens’ men’s soccer program.
The announcement comes as Kalish met with the team for the first time late Friday. He will be formally introduced at a press conference early next week. The date, time and location will be announced as soon as possible.
“It is great to have Kevin Kalish coming back to campus to lead the Billikens,” SLU Director of Athletics Chris May said. “I have confidence that Kevin will be able to execute our objectives of education, competition and community. Kevin’s strengths as a coach and values as a person align perfectly for where we want our program to grow. As a scholar-athlete and a tremendous player on the field for the Billikens, Kevin will be an outstanding role model for all Billiken student-athletes.”
“I would like to thank Chris May, Dr. Kent Porterfield, Dr. Fred Pestello and the search committee for their trust in me to lead this historic program,” Kalish said. “Saint Louis University has been such an integral part of my development as a person, and I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to this amazing institution.
“I look forward to working with the entire University and athletics department staff to build a culture of excellence where we educate our student-athletes, compete for championships regularly and build community. It’s an exciting time for Saint Louis University men’s soccer, and I am looking forward to getting started with the players.”
Kalish is the seventh head coach in the storied history of the SLU men’s soccer program. He is the second SLU alumnus to serve as head coach, joining Joe Clarke who was head coach from 1983-96.
Kalish has most recently served as Vice President and Missouri Boys Club Director for St. Louis Scott Gallagher. He also was head coach at SIU Edwardsville for six seasons (2008-13).
Kalish transferred to Saint Louis University in 1997 after spending two seasons at Connecticut. At SLU, he was a member of the 1997 NCAA semifinal team. Kalish was named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year and an NSCAA All-American his senior season in 1998. Kalish earned Academic All-America honors in 1997 and 1998. He also served as an assistant coach at SLU following his graduation from the University.
In 2007, Kalish was inducted into the Billiken Hall of Fame. He was named to the Billiken Half-Century Team in 2009 during the celebration of 50 years of Saint Louis University soccer.
In addition to serving as Vice President and Club Director at St. Louis Scott Gallagher, one of the most successful youth clubs in the country, Kalish was the head coach of the U19 Saint Louis Academy FC team. That squad is ranked No. 16 in the country.
Kalish spent 13 seasons at SIUE – seven as an assistant coach from 2001-07 and six as a head coach from 2008-13. He successfully transitioned the men’s soccer program from NCAA Division II to Division I. While he was an assistant coach at the Division II level, the Cougars made six NCAA Tournament appearances and two NCAA semifinal appearances. In his six years as head coach, SIUE posted a 49-46-12 record. In 2012, Kalish was named Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year and the NSCAA Midwest Region Coach of the Year after the Cougars posted a 13-7 overall record.
