When Monmouth University went searching for its first full-time men's soccer coach in the spring of 1998, it did not have to look very far, only down the hall. On March 1, 1998, two-year assistant coach Shannon Poser became the seventh head coach in the 40-year history of the program.
After a four-year playing career and two seasons as an assistant, Poser?s familiarity with the program shone through. In his two seasons as an assistant, Poser helped lead the Hawks to a mark of 17-16-2.
In his first full season as the head coach, Poser guided Monmouth to a seven-win season and a 4-4 mark in Northeast Conference action.
In 1999, Poser guided the Hawks to the number-four seed in the NEC Tournament. What looked like a grim situation was turned into a positive by Poser, as the Hawks won four of their last five conference contests to rally their way into the Northeast Conference Tournament. Playing like championship contenders, the Hawks scored 15 goals in the five-game stretch, while allowing just four. Despite falling to the eventual tournament champions in the first round, Monmouth?s star seemed to be rising.
The Hawks reached new heights under Poser in 2002, as the program posted seven wins and a school-record five victories in conference play.
This year, Poser looks to lead Monmouth University to a return engagement in the Northeast Conference Tournament after struggling in league play the two previous seasons, due in large part to injuries, youth and inexperience.
A 1992 graduate of Monmouth University, Poser patroled the Hawks' defensive backfield in his years. He was often a coach-like presence on the field, as he guided Monmouth.
An undisputed team leader, Poser played 70 games in his Monmouth career, starting every one. In 1991, he came back from a knee injury that wiped out his previous season to captain the Hawks to a 5-2 record in league play. Monmouth, for the second consecutive year, advanced to the NEC Championship game where it lost a 1-0 nailbiter to St. Francis (N.Y.).
Poser, graduated from Monmouth with a degree in business administration. After graduation, he spent three years as a high school teaching aide in special education at a satellite school in Middletown. Poser is currently working towards a master?s degree in the Art of Teaching from Monmouth University.
Poser and his wife Justine, live in Monmouth Beach, N.J.
