FDU Knights Athletics

Personal

Bachelor of Arts, History - Penn
Master of Science, Education - Penn
Three-year starter in the midfield at Penn, playing in an NCAA tournament for the Quakers
Native of Teaneck, N.J.
 

Roland By The Numbers

Winningest coach in FDU men's soccer history (232-192-67, .541)
Winningest coach in Northeast Conference history (116-60-37, .626)
10th active winningest coach in NCAA Division I
2022 NEC Coach of the Year
2000 NEC Coach of the Year
2001 NSCAA Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year
2001 NCAA Elite Eight
2001 NCAA Sweet 16
2012 NCAA Sweet 16
Eight (8) NEC Championships 
Eight (8) NCAA Championship Appearances 
Six (6) NCAA Championship victories
Four (4) All-American Selections
Four (4) NEC Players of the Year
Four (4) NEC Scholar-Athletes of the Year
Six (6) NEC Rookies of the Year
73 First and Second Team All-NEC performers
41 All-Region selections
 

At FDU

• Named FDU’s men’s soccer head coach on March 17, 1997
• Led FDU to the program’s 23 NEC tournament appearance in 2021 - a season in which the Knights were unbeaten in six-consecutive NEC contests
• FDU finished unbeaten in NEC play for the first time in program history in 2022 (6-0-2) en route to the NEC Regular Season Championship.
• Named NEC Coach of the Year for the second time in 2022
• Captured the 10th NEC title in program history on November 13, 2022 in a 2-1 win over St. Francis Brooklyn sending FDU to the NCAA Championship. FDU would fall 5-2 to Maryland on Nov. 17, the 19th appearance in program history for FDU in the NCAA tournament.
• Celebrated his silver anniversary season in 2021 marking 25 years as the FDU men’s soccer head coach
• A champion for diversity and equality, Roland is a vocal advocate in the community and celebrates the individuality of his student-athletes
• Under his tutelage, the Knights won the 2019 NEC tournament title, the ninth crown in program history and most of any NEC men’s soccer team. The title was the seventh under Roland’s watch, in addition to being the seventh NCAA tournament appearance
• Attained the 325 win mark in 2018 (currently sits at 343 wins with 223 at FDU)
• In 2001, Roland’s Knights advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight, falling to eventual national champion #8 North Carolina in a triple overtime battle, 3-2. En route to the battle with the Tar Heels, FDU defeated Boston College in triple overtime, #12 Princeton and Seton Hall. The appearance in the NCAA tournament was just the second for the Burgundy and Blue since 1989
• Coached the Knights to the 2012 NCAA Championship Sweet 16 after knocking off #18 St. John’s (N.Y.) and overall #8 seed Saint Louis, though the Knights fell to North Carolina in a thrilling 1-0 loss to the defending national champions
• FDU finished the 2012 campaign with an overall record of 11-6-6; the Knights were ranked No. 20 in the final National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/Continental Tire Rankings for that season
• With Roland as the Knights’ gaffer, FDU has finished as high as No. 11 in 2001 and No. 23 in 2003 in the national polls; the Knights were also ranked as high as No. 14 (2002), No. 7 (2005), No. 15 (2006) and No. 21 (2013)
• The Teaneck, N.J. native has led FDU to 18 NEC semifinals in 25 seasons
• In just his fourth season, Roland guided the Knights to their first NEC title in 11 years with the last NCAA tournament appearance for the side coming in 1989
• In the classroom, Roland’s teams have won the NSCAA/USC Team Academic Achievement Award 18 times (2001-06, 2008-14, 2016-20)

 

William & Mary Highlights

• Roland played integral role in all phases of a program that advanced to NCAA tournament four times in five years
• He actively assisted with recruiting, daily practice planning, coaching team tactics and fundraising
• Won two CAA championships and four CAA regular season titles
• Competed in four NCAA tournaments, advancing to the 1996 NCAA Elite Eight and 1995 NCAA Sweet 16, eliminated by eventual national champion each of those years
• The Tribe finished in NSCAA Final National Top 25 Poll all five years, including No. 4 in nation in 1996 with 20-3-1 record
• Tallied overall record of 83-22-9 (.763) and CAA record of 38-7-5 (.802)

 

Bridgeport Highlights

• Competed in three NCAA Division II tournaments (1988, 1990 and 1991) with the team advancing to the 1990 NCAA Elite Eight, falling to the eventual national champion
• Finished in NSCAA Final National Top 25 Poll three years, including #5 in nation in 1990 with 17-4-0 record.
• Tallied overall record of 67-27-7 (.695)

 

Christopher Newport Highlights

• Inherited a fledgling program that had won only one game and built the side into an NCAA Division III national power
• In 1986, Roland’s squad advanced to CNU’s first-ever NCAA tournament while achieving an overall record of 18-5-0
• Finished No. 10 in nation in the 1986 NSCAA Final National Poll
• Tallied overall record of 53-37-5 (.580)
• Awarded USSF “A” coaching license in 1982

 

International Experience

• Has served as coach for four World Maccabiah Games (1993, 1997, 2009 and 2022), winning the bronze medal in 1993
• Played in four games representing the U.S., winning silver in 1981
• Roland also participated in five U.S. Olympic Festivals as a coach for the East, winning gold in 1994

 

25th Anniversary Tribute