Saint Mary-of-the-Woods

St. Mary-of-the-Woods Associate Vice President of Athletics Kevin Lanke announced today (March 27) that Ronald Kiernicki, MBA has been promoted to men's soccer head coach for Pomeroy Athletics. Kiernicki adds this responsibility in addition to his duties as Director of SMWC Soccer & Women's Soccer head coach.

Last season, Kiernicki was the co-head coach for the men's soccer program and is replacing Brady Cole, who left earlier this year to pursue other opportunities.

"I am pleased that Ron has accepted the opportunity to lead the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods men's soccer program," Lanke said. "Ron has a passion both for SMWC and for the overall development of our men's and women's soccer student-athletes. The SMWC soccer coaching staff plan also includes program specific assistant coaches for the men's and women's teams. This will provide Ron the coaching depth and varying perspectives needed to be successful as a leader for both programs."

Kiernicki has been the head coach of the women's soccer program since June of 2022 after spending the prior two seasons as an assistant.

"I want to thank Kevin and Interim President Brennan Randolph for entrusting me with this great opportunity to rebuild, not only our men's program, but our soccer culture overall," Kiernicki said. "We have a very talented group of young men, and we are bringing in more talent in the 2024 recruiting class. These boys are starting to click, and it is an honor to have the lead moving forward. Rebuilding a program isn't easy, it takes time, and we are going to have the right staff in place to give these men and our program the training environments for long term success."

He was the head coach of the Northview boys soccer team from 2012-13 and was the founder of the Clay Youth Soccer Club in Brazil, Ind., where he served as Executive Director & Travel coach from 2007-15. He has been a travel coach for the Vigo County Youth Soccer Association since 2017. Additionally, Kiernicki is a licensed coach, and played in both the CIASA Premier League and Indoor Premier League.
 
Kiernicki earned his B.S. in Global Business and a MBA In Leadership from Excelsior University.
 
He and his wife Sheryl reside in Terre Haute. They have three sons. Tristen (Sara), Jack, and Jasper. They also have a grandson Brigham.