DAYTON, OH. - The Dayton Dutch Lions FC have appointed Dan Griest to serve as head coach for the 2018 Premier Development League season. Griest, who also serves as a head coach with the Ohio Celtic Alliance youth soccer, will join the club immediately.
"I am excited to announce Dan Griest as our new Head Coach," DDL FC General Manager Ric Campbell said. "Dan's approach to soccer on and off the field match our goals for the club. Dan is very well connected in the soccer community and will be able to attract and develop some of the region's top collegiate soccer players."
"We are so pleased about the future of our program under his direction. Dan will be completing his staff soon and we are working on player commitments now."
Griest has been a head coach in the NPSL the past two seasons leading his team to a first place finish in 2017 as well as the playoffs. In addition, over the past 10 years, he has won one Ohio South State title and was a three time Ohio South State Cup finalist at the youth level. His latest team had 17 players go on to college competition with 12 being DI players.
"I am tremendously thankful to the Dayton Dutch Lions for the opportunity to coach in this very challenging Premier Development League. I believe they provide an amazing platform to help grow and cultivate soccer in not only the Dayton community, but throughout the Midwest, and look forward to the challenge of creating a team the Dayton community can stand behind and support," shared Dan Griest.
Griest, a native of the Miami Valley area, was a three-time All-State, a two-time DII Player of the year and set the Ohio state career scoring mark during his four years at Northwestern High School. In his senior year, he set the single season scoring record with 53 goals, breaking his previous record of 50 goals his junior season.
After high school, Griest was a two year starter for Butler University and was named to the All Newcomer Team as a freshman. He transferred to Wright State University for his final two years and was named Horizon League All Conference.
Upon graduation, Griest spent the next 12 years playing soccer professionally outdoors and semi-professionally indoors with the Cincinnati Riverhawks, Cincinnati Kings and Cincinnati Saints.
"My focus will be to bring in players that will have the capability to win every match. I understand the level of competition we face in the Great Lakes Division, home to three of the last four PDL champions, but this region is filled with quality players who can compete and I believe will want to make a mark with the Dutch Lions," said Griest.
"Just as important will be our efforts to support the Dayton community. We desire that our players have an impact in the Miami Valley as they will be available for summer camps, soccer clinics and club presentations. Our PDL program will truly push our players to reach their potential in multiple areas of their personal growth."
DDL FC is set to play in its fifth season in North America's top development soccer league next summer. The PDL season consists of 14 regular season matches, seven home and seven away, and provides elite collegiate players and international players the opportunity to experience a higher level of competition.