Rochester Rhinos News Release - www.rhinossoccer.com
Monday, November 16, 2009
ROCHESTER, NY -- Rochester Rhinos General Manager and Director of Soccer Operations Pat Ercoli announced that the club has agreed to terms with Bob Lilley as the team’s next head coach.
“We were looking for a coach who understands the expectations and tradition of Rhinos soccer,” said Ercoli. “Bob understands that tradition from having coached against us in the past and he has a proven track record coaching teams with similar traditions. I feel he can bring this team back to the level we had when we were a championship organization.”
Lilley, 43, has ten seasons of USL-1 coaching experience under his belt, having previously been at the helm with Hershey Wildcats (1997-2001), Montreal Impact (2002-03) and Vancouver Whitecaps (2005-07). During that time he has compiled a 151-81-46 (.625) regular season record having made the playoffs every season.
In 2006, the Fort Monmouth, New Jersey native guided the Vancouver Whitecaps to the USL-1 Championship, capturing the title with a 3-0 win over the Rhinos at Marina Auto Stadium. In addition, the Hershey Wildcats reached the USL-1 Championship match in 2001 under Lilley, falling to the Rhinos 2-0 at Frontier Field.
Lilley is a two-time USL-1 Coach of the Year, winning the award following his rookie season as coach of the Wildcats in 1997 and again in 2003 with the Montreal Impact.
“I’m excited and thankful for the opportunity that Rob Clark and the Rochester Rhinos have presented to me,” said Lilley. “The tradition the Rhinos have forged in this league is second to none and I’m looking forward to working with Pat Ercoli instead of against him.”
Lilley’s playing career began in 1989 when he signed with the Orlando Lions of the American Soccer League. He played two seasons with Orlando before joining the Maryland Bays for the 1991 season. He played professional indoor soccer with the Hershey Impact of the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) from 1988-1991, the Harrisburg Heat (NPSL) from 1991-1997 and one season with the Pittsburgh Stingers in the Continental Indoor Soccer League in 1994.
Prior to playing professionally, Lilley was team captain at George Mason University.
“We are elated to have someone of Bob’s credentials as the next head coach of the Rochester Rhinos,” said owner and CEO Rob Clark. “Bob’s championship background will definitely add to the Rhinos tradition.”
