Kazemaini To Step Down As Head Coach At End Of 2016 Season

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland State head men's soccer coach Ali Kazemaini has announced that he will step down as head coach at the end of the 2016 season after 11 seasons on the sidelines at CSU to spend more time with his family and concentrate on his personal business.

"I'm excited about the upcoming season with the team we have coming back and competing for a championship in my final season," Kazemaini said. "This will be a special group to go out with and the timing is right for me and my family for this to be my final season. I look forward to the start of the season next Friday at Krenzler Field against Dayton.

"I was brought to Cleveland State in 2006 to resurrect the program and I feel fortunate that I was able to achieve that," Kazemaini said. "The model has been to develop players who can consistently perform at a high level and we have been able to accomplish that. I have invested a lot of time and effort over the last 10 years and I will stay connected and continue to support the program to ensure the success continues."

Kazemaini enters the 2016 season with 77 wins, the most by a coach in program history. He has produced 28 All-Horizon League selections at CSU, including 15 first team selections. Sergio Manesio's selection as Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year last year was the second time in the last four years that a Viking claimed the award. In addition, Brad Stuver was named the Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year in 2010.

Kazemaini and CSU open the 2016 regular season on Aug. 26 when CSU hosts Dayton at 7:00 pm at Krenzler Field.

*Release courtesy of Cleveland State athletic communications