John Rootes Named Lynn Men’s Soccer Coach

3/31/08

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Lynn University Director of Athletics Kristen Moraz announced the hiring of John Rootes as men’s soccer coach Monday afternoon, ushering in a new era at one of the most successful programs at the NCAA Division II level. Rootes, formerly the head coach at Savannah College of Art and Design, becomes the fourth coach in program history after taking over for the recently departed Shaun Pendleton.



“Lynn University is proud to have John & Alicia [Rootes] join our Fighting Knights team,” said Moraz “We were fortunate to attract a strong candidate pool and significant interest in the men’s soccer program. John’s philosophy, organizational ability and commitment to student-athlete development make him a great match with Lynn. We are excited about the direction of the men’s soccer program and confident in Coach Rootes’ leadership.”



Rootes has a proven track record at three institutions, compiling a 284-95-22 (.736) career-mark. In his 20 years of coaching at SCAD, Clayton State and Southern New Hampshire, he has averaged just over 14 wins a season and reached the postseason 11 times, winning the 1989 NCAA Division II National Championship at SNHU. Rootes inherits a program rich in tradition, having reached the postseason in 19 of 22 seasons, winning national crowns in 1987, 1991 and 2003.



“I am extremely excited about joining Lynn University and its great soccer tradition,” Rootes said. “This is one of the top NCAA Division II soccer programs in the country, with a terrific foundation laid down by Shaun Pendleton. It is now my job to bring this institution even greater success at the national level and that starts by bringing in quality student-athletes.”



Amassing a 47-26-2 (.627) record in four years at SCAD, Rootes led the Bees to the NAIA Region XIV Tournament title in three consecutive seasons. In just his second year at Savannah, he established program records for wins (13-4-1) while earning the program’s first national ranking (as high as no. 18) and postseason appearance.



“It’s tough anytime you leave a program you’ve invested yourself in,” adds Rootes about SCAD. “But there are many great players remaining and I’ve definitely left that program in better shape than when I arrived. I just have to thank everyone for supporting the men’s soccer program while I was there.”



A new challenge awaited Rootes at Clayton State as he took over a program that had only two winning seasons prior to his arrival. Three years into his tenure, the Lakers posted an 18-3-1 record and earned their first Peach Belt Championship and NCAA Regional bid. CSU would go on to record a 69-38-9 (.634) mark during his six-year stay, winning two conference championships and securing a pair of NCAA bids.



During his time at SNHU, Rootes compiled a 169-30-11 (.831) record and elevated the program to national prominence. In 10 seasons, the Penmen were consistently ranked in the Intercollegiate Soccer Association of America National Top 10 and earned three 20-win seasons, six NCAA Division II Tournament bids, four appearances in the Elite Eight and an NCAA National Championship in 1989. Nine of his players were named NSCAA All-Americans and 15 have gone on to professional soccer careers.



Prior to becoming a head coach in New Hampshire, Rootes worked as the senior assistant coach under I.M. Ibrahim at NCAA Division I powerhouse Clemson University. While with the Tigers, he helped the school to the 1987 National Championship and the 1988 World Collegiate Championship.

As a player, Rootes was a four-year starter for legendary coach Barry Barto at Philadelphia College of Textiles & Sciences (now Philadelphia University) and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Rootes led Textile to an undefeated season and a No. 1-ranking in the final coaches' poll in 1980, and guided UNLV to its first NCAA Tournament bid in 1983.

Rootes was honored twice as an NSCAA All-West striker and was a member of the 1984 United States Amateur team. He also played two years of professional soccer for the Boston Storm in 1994 and 1995.