Colorado University Athletics
Soccer
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
University of Colorado head women's soccer coach Bill Hempen added Chris Gnehm (Geh-nem) to his coaching staff on Monday, May 9, 2011, as the top assistant for the program.
Gnehm comes to Colorado after nine successful seasons as an assistant women's soccer coach at Florida Atlantic University, a member of the Sun Belt Conference. He was the Owls top assistant the last three seasons and served as the goalkeeper coach from 2002-07.
In Gnehm's past position, he played a key role in directing an excellent FAU defense. In 2006, the Owls led all NCAA Division I teams in shutout percentage (.762), holding opponents scoreless in 16 of 21 matches. A year later, FAU's second year in the Sun Belt, the team posted nine shutouts and allowed just 15 goals.
His collegiate coaching career started at his alma mater, Averett (Va.) University, where he was an assistant coach from 1996-98. He then became the assistant coach for the men's soccer program at Monmouth (N.J.) University from 1998-99 before heading to Ferrum (Va.) College to be the head men's soccer coach as well as a women's tennis coach from 1999-2001. In addition to his coaching credentials, he led the Soccer Plus Goalkeeping School (Wethersfield, Conn.) during the summer of 1995. He is a member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America
Gnehm earned a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1997 from Averett, where he was a four-year starter at goalkeeper and team captain from 1993-96. He still holds Averett's school record for most saves in a single season (1996) and career saves (1992-96).
Gnehm is originally from Bayville, N.J., graduating from Central Regional High School where he earned first-team all-state soccer honors as a senior in 1992. During his free time, Gnehm participated in nearly 60 commercials as an actor/model from 1979-1988. He helped promote products such as Cracker Jacks, Nike, Colleco Vision, Cheetos, Life Cereal and Jell-O Pudding. He also appeared in print ads for Wrangler Kid, Gravy Train and FAO Schwartz.
