Chris Whalley
Boone, NC
Chris Whalley returns for his second season with the Mountaineers after coaching for two years at Milwaukee and with FC Milwaukee of the US Development Academy. Whalley, who doubled the Panther’s win total from the previous year before his arrival, led his team to an upset of nationally ranked Northern Illinois in 2011 marking UWM’s first win over a ranked team since 2006.
Prior to his time at Milwaukee, Whalley coached at nearby Lees-McRae College, where he led the Bobcats to the NCAA Division II national championship game. He also coached a team that ranked eighth in the nation in scoring offense (2.74 goals per game) and ninth nationally in team defense (0.72 goals against).
In five seasons at Lees-McRae, Whalley compiled a 72-22-12 record. In 2009, Whalley led the Bobcats to an 18-3-2 overall mark and a No. 1 national ranking during the year. He led teams to the three-straight regular-season conference titles and a pair of league tournament championships. In addition to a run to the national final in 2009, the Bobcats advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2008 and the Elite Eight in 2007. Whalley won almost 85 percent of his games in his final three seasons with the Bobcats, including a 21-win campaign in 2007.
Whalley was a two-time Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year as well as the NSCAA Southeast Region Coach of the Year in 2007. On two occassions, he was a National Coach of the Year Nominee (2007, ‘09).
He was instrumental in the development of some of the nations top players, as he coached nine all-Americans, 21 all-region performers and 10 players that have gone on to play professionally.
In addition to his post with the Bobcats, Whalley served as the head coach of the West Virginia Chaos in the USL Premier Development League.
As a youngster, Whalley played for the youth squads of both the Nottingham Forest and Brentford clubs in England.
Whalley joined the coaching ranks after playing professional with the Reading Rage of the United States Pro-Select League.
He played collegiately at Mercyhurst College where he helped lead the Lakers to the NCAA Division II Tournament twice, including a Final Four apperance in 2002. In addition to his playing and coaching career, he also served as the selection chairperson for for Division II MLS in 2009.
Whalley and his wife, Alexis, currently reside in Boone.