EWING, N.J. – Executive Director of Athletics Amanda V. DeMartino has announced the hiring of Danny Blank as the new head coach of the TCNJ women's soccer program. With nearly three decorated decades of collegiate experience in tow, Blank comes to Ewing following a successful three-year stint at Widener University that included the Pride's first postseason victory since 2002.
 
"We are excited to announce Danny Blank has been selected as our next Head Women's Soccer Coach," DeMartino said. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role leading a very strong program with a rich history and high expectations for success."

"I would like to thank Athletic Director Amanda DeMartino and the entire search committee for this incredible opportunity," Blank said. "TCNJ is a tremendous school with great academics, a beautiful campus, and amazing athletic facilities, and I couldn't be happier to be a part of it.

"As a proud product of Central Jersey soccer, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to represent my hometown college on the national stage. I am very aware of this program's rich history of success, and am honored to be entrusted with leading this program. It's a responsibility that I take very seriously, and I can't wait to get started."
 
Blank's first year at Widener (2018) was a banner one, highlighted by a school-record 5-2-1 mark in MAC Commonwealth play and an ECAC Championship first-round win over Rutgers-Camden, the program's first in postseason play in 16 years. Five Widener players earned all-conference accolades under Blank, who followed that up with an 11-win campaign in 2019, one of the highest win totals in the 30-year history of the program.
 
Blank spent seven years in the Power Five Division I Southeastern Conference (SEC) prior to his tenure at Widener. From 2007 to 2010 he served as an assistant at the University of Mississippi, which made an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2009.

Blank then went on to the University of Georgia, where he was an assistant for one season before earning a promotion to associate head coach and eventually recruiting coordinator. During his four seasons in Athens, the Bulldogs were two-time NCAA Tournament participants (2011, 2014), and Blank's efforts helped Georgia land national top-10 recruiting classes in 2013 and 2014. He oversaw a defensive unit that allowed the fewest goals in the SEC in 2010 and achieved a record six-game shutout streak during the 2013 season. Blank also served as director of Georgia Soccer Camps, which attracted nearly 1,000 campers on an annual basis.

Before joining the Division I ranks, Blank started the women's soccer program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University from scratch in 1998. Over the next decade he guided the Eagles to three Florida Sun Conference titles, three Region 14 championships, and three NAIA Tournament appearances. Embry-Riddle finished in the top-25 of the national rankings four times, and Blank developed five All-Americans and 26 all-region selections. He was a three-time conference coach of the year and two-time regional coach of the year.

As head coach of Brewton-Parker College from 1994 to 1998, Blank's squads won three consecutive Georgia Athletic Conference crowns and reached the Final Four in 1996. His 1995 team scored 181 goals in 21 games, the second-highest total in the history of collegiate soccer. Blank was named GAC Coach of the Year three times and received Southeast Region Coach of the Year accolades in 1995. He began his collegiate coaching career at Wheeling Jesuit, spending three seasons as an assistant.

Blank was a four-year starting defender at Bethany College, where he played in four NCAA Tournaments. A native of Hamilton, he was a two-time selection to the All-State and All-Mercer County teams and was named MVP of the Ernie Tessein Memorial Match, a select game featuring the best juniors and seniors in the county.
 
Blank holds a United States Soccer Federation 'A' License and an Advanced National Diploma from the United Soccer Coaches/National Soccer Coaches Association of America. An expert in the tactical and technical development of soccer players, he is the author of 10 books, including the bestselling texts Soccer iQ Vols. 1 and 2.

Blank is the third head coach in the history of the TCNJ women's soccer program, which has won three NCAA championships (1993, 1994, 2000) and made 13 Final Four appearances since its inception in 1990. His hire was the culmination of an intensive national search. 

"I would like to thank the search committee for their work and confidentiality throughout this process," DeMartino said. "We look forward to welcoming Danny to campus this spring and ushering in the next era of TCNJ Women's Soccer."
 
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
"TCNJ has made an outstanding choice to hire Dan Blank to be the next leader of their women's soccer program. Their program has a rich history of success and Dan is the perfect fit to continue building on that. He is one the best coaches in the country at any level and has an incredible ability to develop players. He understands how to get the best from players and also has a proven track record of identifying and recruiting top- level talent. I'm looking forward to seeing how quickly he can bring this program back to a national championship."
Steve Holeman – Head Coach, Texas State University
 
"TCNJ has made a fantastic hire from its own backyard. Dan understands how to coach, how to recruit, and how to win. He will be a wonderful ambassador for TCNJ soccer."
Glenn Crooks – Head Coach, Rutgers University (Ret.) / The Coaching Academy, Sirius XM
 
"Throughout his career, Dan has given countless hours to the development of young women, while also providing valuable leadership through years of collegiate and youth coaching, his individual player mentoring, and his incredibly educational books. He is, without a doubt, the perfect choice to lead The College of New Jersey. Your players will be respected, challenged and valued with Dan as their leader."
Ronnie Coveleski-Woodard – Head Coach (Ret.), Vanderbilt University / Tennessee Soccer Club –Director of Business Ops
 
"Absolutely thrilled to learn that TCNJ has hired Dan Blank to be their next women's soccer coach! Dan brings an impressive soccer resume, but it's his ability to connect with people that sets him apart. The women's soccer program is getting a fantastic coach, an amazing communicator and an outstanding leader.
John Phillips — Director of Athletics, Embry-Riddle (Fla.)
 
"Congratulations to TCNJ for hiring Dan Blank as the next head women's soccer coach. Dan has been a bedrock of the college soccer community for many years. His experience coaching at every level of collegiate soccer puts him in a unique category.  His ability to communicate and lead student-athletes to success will undoubtedly transfer to TCNJ. Dan's experience as an established author of soccer coaching and lifestyle books exemplifies his understanding of the game and the student-athletes on and off the field. I look forward to following along as Dan continues the amazing success of the program."
Aaron Rodgers – Head Coach, Ohio University
 
"This is an amazing hire, and I am so excited for Dan and The College of New Jersey women's soccer program. Dan is one of the most brilliant technical and tactical soccer coaches I have ever had the honor of playing for. His passion for the game and coaching, along with being an inspiring leader and person, makes me really excited for the future of TCNJ soccer."
Laura Eddy – University of Georgia, 2009 SEC Rookie of the Year
 
"I'm really excited for Dan and this new coaching opportunity. Having been around him recruiting and working camps and clinics, I know he is an exceptional coach and a strong recruiter, and will do phenomenal in his new role. I look forward to seeing how he takes the program to new levels."
Mark Francis, Head Coach - University of Kansas