Early on Dec. 3, Drexel Athletic Director Maisha Kelly announced that Shannon Grogan had been named Head Coach of Drexel’s women’s soccer.
Grogan joins the Dragons from Coastal Athletic Association rival Stony Brook University, where she is an alumna and four-year starter for the Seawolves’ women’s soccer team. Grogan has been a member of the Stony Brook coaching staff since 2018, serving as an associate head coach. In addition, Grogan has been the recruiting coordinator for the program since 2022.
Stony Brook has been a strong soccer program for some time now, and, since joining the CAA in 2022, has finished in the top three of the conference standings twice and has won the 2024 CAA Championship.
Grogan replaces long-time head coach Ray Goon. Goon was the head coach of the program for 29 years, making him the only head coach of the program since it was re-established in 1996.
Grogan will need to bring that winning pedigree to West Philadelphia as the Drexel women’s soccer program has drifted into listlessness, making the CAA Tournament just one time in the last seven seasons.
In Drexel’s announcement, Kelly stated that, “Shannon brings an impressive blend of leadership, competitive vision, and student-athlete-centered values to Drexel.”
Kelly went on to cite Grogan’s time in the CAA and success in creating CAA champion caliber teams as other reasons for her confidence in Grogan as the next head coach.
In the same statement, Grogan stated, “Drexel University and the City of Philadelphia are places of opportunity. I am excited to bring new energy to the program and develop an environment committed to the pursuit of excellence on the field, in the classroom and in the community. Drexel is deeply committed to supporting the growth of their student-athletes, and together we will build a women’s soccer program that the university community can be proud of.”
Grogan will have an opportunity to revitalize this program, infusing a new energy and perspective into the program.