COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Saint John's University first-year head coach John Haws named Tudor Flintham, a 2006 graduate of SJU, an assistant coach for the upcoming 2010 season.
Flintham captained the Johnnies to an MIAC playoff championship, led the conference in both goals and assists, and earned All-MIAC, Academic All-MIAC and All-Region honors in 2005.
After growing up in the English academy system, Flintham came to the United States for the first time with The Saints F.C. (a Southampton F.C. associated squad) where, as a player and coach, he won three consecutive USA Cups.
Flintham returns to his alma mater after spending the last few years working for the nationally-recognized FC Portland Academy in Portland, Ore., as a program director and head coach. He also served as head girls' soccer coach for Valley Catholic High School in Beaverton, Ore., where he became the most successful coach in school history in 2008. He was named the 2008 and 2009 Oregon District One Coach of the Year, as well as the NSCAA 2008 Oregon High School State Coach of the Year.
“I feel honored to be offered the opportunity to return to Saint John's and contribute to the incredible history this institution and program has built,” Flintham said. “This is a great time for Saint John's soccer, and I feel incredibly privileged to work beside Coach Haws and a staff dedicated not only to athletic success, but teaching life through the great game of soccer.”
While coaching at SJU, Tudor will be working to complete his master's degree in sports management at St. Cloud State University.
“Tudor proved himself to be both a powerful leader and game changer during his four years at SJU,” Haws said. “He has transitioned into a fantastic young coach. We are very fortunate to have him joining our staff.”
Tudor joins John Smith-Coppes on the assistant coaching staff. Smith-Coppes has served as SJU's goalkeeping coach since 1994.
The Johnnies ended the 2009 season with a 5-11-2 overall record and a 1-8-1 record in the MIAC. Six of the 11 losses, including four conference losses, were decided by one goal. SJU returns seven of its top nine scorers from last fall. Haws' Johnnies begin the 2010 season Sept. 1 at Minnesota-Morris.
