"With three years of experience as an assistant coach with this program, in addition to a stellar playing career for the Nittany Lions, Michael possesses an intimate understanding of how to be successful at Penn State. He has been instrumental during this transition time by providing the program some with much needed stability and consistency. Michael's primary focus will be on the defensive aspects of coaching as well as coordinating our recruiting efforts." Nittany Lion Head Coach Erica Walsh

Michael Coll is entering his fourth season as an assistant coach for the Penn State women's soccer team after a three-year stint as an assistant coach on the Lion's men's team and a four-year tenure as the head women's soccer coach St. Francis (Pa.).

A native of Derry, Ireland, Coll graduated in 1997 with a bachelor's degree in exercise and sport science from Penn State University.

A former Nittany Lion All-Big Ten and All Mid-Atlantic Region defender, Coll also served as an assistant coach with the Penn State men's program from 1997-2000. A four-year letterman, Coll started 84 out of 85 games during those four years. He was a two-time first team all-conference selection, a 1996 All-Mid-Atlantic Region honoree as well as a member of the Academic All-Big Ten Team. Still a factor on the offense, Coll netted a goal and tallied 10 assists during his career. Coll was part of the Lions' 1993 Big Ten championship squad, as well as three NCAA teams.

While at Penn State he continued to represent Ireland in International competition starting all matches at the World University Games in Buffalo, N.Y. in 1993 and Fukuoka Japan in 1995.

Following his career at Penn State, Coll played for the A-League Hershey Wildcats during the summer of 1997 where he helped the franchise to an A-League Atlantic Division crown. Happy Valley called for a second time, however, and Coll returned for three more years.

His professional experience also includes time spent with the Reading Rage and the Cape Cod Crusaders in the USL. Before enrolling at Penn State, Coll had tryouts with English Premier League team's Arsenal and Chelsea as well as English Championship clubs Nottingham Forest and Ipswitch Town as a teenager. After failed contract negotiations following his successful time at Chelsea, he decided to continue his education at Penn State.

Coll left Penn State in 2000 to become the head women's soccer coach at St. Francis (Pa.), a post he resigned from to return to his alma mater in the spring of 2004. While there, Coll coached the 2002 NEC Rookie of the Year as well as three other all-conference picks and his Red Flash team earned the NEC Fair Play Award in both 2002 and 2003.

A resident of nearby Lemont, Coll holds an NSCAA Premier Diploma as well as an Irish FA "C" License.