Sheikh Named Head Men's Soccer Coach

Knox College is turning to Tyler Sheikh as the new head men's soccer coach.

Sheikh will guide a program that posted a school-record 15 wins in 2014 and won its first Midwest Conference regular season championship since 1988 under former coach Matt Edwards. The Prairie Fire also swept all four major postseason awards handed out by the MWC.

Sheikh comes to Knox after a successful season at the helm of the Illinois College men's soccer team. He led the Blueboys to their first Midwest Conference Tournament bid since 1993 with a 6-3-1 league record, which tied the best mark in program history.

"Leaving Illinois College was bittersweet as we accomplished what hadn't been accomplished in a long time," Sheikh said. "I'll miss all the great people from the players to staff, faculty and administration alike. I want to thank Frank Williams and President Farley for giving me the opportunity to lead the men and wish them deserved success in the future."

The Prairie Fire defeated Illinois College 1-0 in the semifinals of the 2014 Midwest Conference Tournament at Knox.

"I'm excited to have Tyler taking over our men's soccer position," Knox College Athletic Director Chad Eisele said. "We feel very strongly that he is the right person for the program and that under his leadership, our soccer team will not only continue to be a force in the Midwest Conference, but on a national level as well."

Sheikh is looking forward to the challenge. "I'm thrilled to join an outstanding group of young men that had their own feats in 2014. Coach Edwards left me a terrific foundation and I'm incredibly happy to be granted the opportunity to work at such a noted academic institution with another set of awesome coaches. A special thanks to Chad Eisele and Dean Behling for having faith in me to help facilitate the education and continued success of Knox men's soccer."

A former college and semi-professional soccer player, Sheikh has coached at the high school, club, and college levels. Prior to arriving at IC, Sheikh served as the head men's and women's soccer coach at Mt. Aloysius College (PA) for two years and rebuilt both programs. He was named the 2013 Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Men's Soccer Coach of the Year.

Sheikh will begin his new duties at Knox on March 2.