Aug. 6, 2010

Champaign, Ill. - Illinois women's soccer head coach Janet Rayfield announced the departure of assistant coach Christian Michner for the College of Charleston women's soccer staff on Friday. Beginning immediately, Michner will serve as the head coach for the Cougars.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for Christian to make the transition to serving as a head coach and we wish him all the best," Rayfield said. "He has been an asset to this program and has made an impact during his time that we will carry forward starting tomorrow. We will gather to start our 2010 season brimming with confidence and anticipation and as we prepare we will also look to find the right person to join us on what we know is going to be an exciting and successful journey."

Michner, who was entering his third season as an assistant to Rayfield, graduated from the College of Charleston in 1998 after beginning his collegiate career at Creighton University. Upon graduation, Michner played five years in the professional ranks with Major League Soccer's Colorado Rapids and San Jose Clash, as well as the San Francisco Bay Seals and Seattle Sounders of the United Soccer Leagues and A-League's San Diego Flash. Prior to serving on Rayfield's staff, Michner spent one season as an associate head coach and three as an assistant coach at the University of Oklahoma.

Rayfield and the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics will undertake a nationwide search for Michner's replacement.