UC's Cook to Take Head Coaching Position at Dartmouth

CINCINNATI, Ohio - Head coach Jeff Cook is leaving the University of Cincinnati soccer program to take a similar position at Dartmouth College.

Cook, who compiled a 43-42-13 overall record in five years and led the program to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1998, will return to Dartmouth where he served as an assistant from 1994-95 prior coming to Cincinnati.

"I would like to thank the University of Cincinnati and the Department of Athletics for the excellent opportunity they have provided me," Jeff Cook said. "I am going to miss the outstanding group of players in the program as well as the friends and supporters of men's soccer at Cincinnati. The position is attractive both for me as a college soccer coach and to my family. I want to wish the best of success for the future of the men's soccer program at UC."

Cook directed the 2000 squad to 7-9-3 record, including a 3-2-3 slate in Conference USA play, its best in program history. The 1999 season saw the program's best-ever start as the team began the year with a seven-game unbeaten streak, then continued its success with a 11-8-1 overall record.

Upon arriving at UC, Cook directed the 1996 team to the C-USA semifinals with an upset of eventual Final Four participant Charlotte. He was named C-USA Coach of the Year in 1997. Cook's 1998 team defeated No. 1 ranked SMU, earned the program's first national ranking and its first All-America selection.

The University of Cincinnati athletics department will begin a national search for a new men's soccer head coach immediately.