FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Former NE10 Standout Returns to the Conference to Lead Franklin Pierce.
RINDGE, N.H. – Franklin Pierce Director of Athletics Rachel Burleson has announced Ruben Resendes has been named as the 11th head coach of the University’s men’s soccer program. The former Southern New Hampshire University standout will return to the Northeast 10 Conference to take on his second collegiate head coaching job, and his first at the Division II level.
“I would like to thank Director of Athletics Rachel Burleson and her incredible staff for entrusting me with the position of head men’s soccer coach at Franklin Pierce University,” said Resendes. “As someone who has a personal connection to the Northeast-10 Conference and NCAA Division II athletics, I understand the history and tradition of Franklin Pierce men’s soccer, which is consistently held to the highest of standards.”
Resendes will make his second collegiate head coaching stop, as he previously spent two seasons at the helm of Dean College, where he guided the Bulldogs through their final season at the junior college level in 2015 and into their exploratory year at the Division III level in 2016. At Dean, he posted a 33-3-0 record over 36 games, which included an undefeated regular season in 2015.
Most recently, Resendes spent the last two seasons as the top assistant coach at Division I University of Vermont, where he was responsible for all recruiting and practice planning, among other duties. The Catamounts captured the America East Conference regular-season title in 2017 for the third time in program history.
Prior to his stints at Dean and Vermont, Resendes picked up collegiate coaching experience as an assistant at his alma mater, SNHU (2014), as well as Division III Emmanuel College (2013), where he was the associate head coach. In addition to his experience at the college level, Resendes has served as the Director of Coaching and Youth Development for Blackwatch Burlington Premier Soccer Club in 2017 and 2018, and previously spent four years as an academy coach and scout in the New England Revolution system.
“We are excited and eager to welcome Ruben to the Franklin Pierce Athletics family,” said Burleson. “Throughout the search process, he distinguished himself as an up-and-coming coach who brings all the ingredients to return our program to national prominence. I am confident he is the right man to lead our team moving forward, and we look forward to seeing what he can accomplish.”
As an undergraduate, Resendes was a four-year standout at fellow NE10 member SNHU from 2009 through 2012 (bio), a time when the Penmen and Ravens routinely clashed as two of the region’s premier programs. He was named the NE10 Rookie of the Year in 2009, and followed up with three straight All-NE10 selections in his sophomore through senior seasons, including First Team nods in 2011 and 2012. Resendes was also a three-time All-Region selection during his career, including consensus First Team All-Region honors as a senior, when he started all 23 games in the midfield and capped his career with an All-America Second Team selection as well.
During his career, the Penmen qualified for the NCAA Championship in all four seasons and advanced to the national quarterfinal on three occasions. Resendes went on to play one season professionally in Iceland’s top division with UMF Tindastoll.
“The objective of our program will be to achieve competitive excellence, both in the Conference and on the national stage,” added Resendes. “We will relentlessly commit to attracting high-level student-athletes to the University, while consistently developing a strong cultural identity within our program.”
Originally from Fall River, Mass., Resendes is a 2013 graduate of Southern New Hampshire University, with a degree in sport management. He will officially join the Franklin Pierce staff on Jan. 3.
-Release provided by Franklin Pierce athletic communications-
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 15 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
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