RICHMOND, Va. – VCU Men's Soccer Head Coach Dave Giffard will retire from college coaching, VCU Athletics announced today. Giffard led the Rams for 17 seasons and compiled a career record of 128-120-61.

"Seventeen years ago, VCU gave me the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream: to become a Division I head coach and build a program where young men could pursue the best versions of themselves and discover what we could accomplish together," Giffard said. "For that, I will be eternally grateful.
 
"To our current and former players and their families, thank you for trusting us with such an important chapter of your lives. Being your coach has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. To the assistant coaches, staff, administrators, alumni, supporters and fans throughout the years, thank you for everything you have given this program and for all the support you've given me personally. To my wife and two children, thank you for sharing a dream you never asked to be part of, for understanding the times Dad couldn't be there and for welcoming a new group of young men into our family every year.
 
"To be honest, I never saw myself leaving VCU – not after everything this program has meant to me. I never pursued opportunities at other schools or applied for other jobs. But something happened that I never expected. I became a soccer parent and began to understand the journeys our players took to reach VCU from a different perspective. As my kids got older and I became more involved with young players and families in our community, I found a sense of purpose that I couldn't ignore. Eventually, I knew it was time to follow that purpose.
 
"Before this season began, I told Ed it would be my last in college coaching. I'm so grateful to him and Mike Sanders for their understanding and support of my decision and, most importantly, their unwavering support of our players. For 17 years, I have been a steward of a special program that competed for championships and changed lives long before I arrived and will continue to do so long after I'm gone.
 
"Thank you, VCU, for believing in me and allowing me to live this incredible dream. Wherever I go and whatever I do, you will always be a part of me, and VCU Men's Soccer will always be a part of our family."

Giffard led the Rams to three NCAA Tournament appearances, two Atlantic 10 Regular Season championships and five appearances in the A10 Championship match. Dozens of former Rams have moved on to professional soccer careers under Giffard's tutelage, including 2019 MLS SuperDraft No. 2 overall pick Siad Haji.

"Dave made his mark throughout his VCU tenure by developing student-athletes. I truly appreciate his many years of dedication to helping our Rams grow in all aspects of their lives. Well beyond his NCAA appearances or the numerous Rams playing professional soccer, he cemented his legacy with his passion for the young men he coached," Ed McLaughlin, VCU Vice President and Director of Athletics, said. "We fully expect our next head coach to continue to develop the young people who wear the VCU uniform while competing for A10 Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances."
 
A national search will begin immediately.