- 2024 Atlantic 10 Women’s Soccer Coach of the Year
- Co-Chair of the Atlantic 10 Women's Soccer Committee
- NCAA Division I Representative for the Atlantic 10
Magnus Nilerud was named the fourth head coach for the Fordham women’s soccer program on February 11, 2022.
In three short seasons, Nilerud has quickly turned the Rams into a contender in the Atlantic 10. In 2024, he led the Rams to a 10-5-4 record and a top four finish in the conference, allowing the Rams to host their first home playoff game in over two decades. It was Fordham’s best finish in the conference standings since 2009. He was named the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year, becoming the second Fordham women’s soccer coach to capture the accolade.
On the field, Liina Tervo and Julia Acosta both earned All-Conference honors with Tervo selected as the league’s Rookie of the Year. Tervo was named First Team All-Atlantic 10, while Acosta garnered Second Team honors. Tervo and Acosta also earned spots on the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team, bringing the Rams’ total to five All-Rookie selections since Nilerud took over in 2022 (Lena Johnsen & Riley Carroll – 2023; Ryann Lucas – 2022).
As a team, the Rams finished 2024 with 37 team assists, which ranked as the second-best mark in team history, while having 36 goals (5th) and 109 points (3rd).
In addition to his Fordham coaching duties, he serves as co-chair of the Atlantic 10 Women's Soccer Committee and well as the league's NCAA Division I representative.
Nilerud came to Rose Hill after a successful 23-year run at the University of Bridgeport. He posted a 295-126-27 record in his tenure with the Purple Knights, making 11 NCAA appearances, winning three NCAA Regionals, and reached the pinnacle in 2018 by winning the NCAA Division II National Championship. He is one of only two active coaches in the East region with at least 300 career victories and ranks in the top 15 in the nation for all-time winningest active coaches by wins and win percentage.
“I feel extremely honored and blessed for the opportunity to lead Fordham University women’s soccer into the next chapter of its legacy,” said Nilerud. “I would like to thank the entire search committee for entrusting me with this position. Having coached at my Alma Mater for 23 years, my next step had to be something very special for my family and Fordham is exactly that. I’m excited for the work ahead, recruiting student-athletes that exemplify Jesuit values and building strong Fordham family bonds with current student-athletes and alumni alike.”
He amassed a multitude of coaching accolades at Bridgeport as a two-time NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year (2015 & 2018), a three-time Regional Coach of the Year (2011, 2015, & 2018), and an eight-time East Coast Conference (ECC) Coach of the Year.
For player recognition, Nilerud coached 36 All-Americans, 78 All-Region selections, and 126 All-Conference players at Bridgeport. His team won nine ECC regular season championships and five tournament championships, while finishing the season in the top 25 polls ten times. The team was also consistently among the NCAA leaders in goals per game (10 times) and fewest goals surrendered (nine times).
A native of Sweden, Nilerud graduated from the University of Bridgeport in 1999 with a degree in Marketing. He was a standout soccer player for the Purple Knights from 1995 to 1998. As a four-year starter and captain, Nilerud was a two-time All-New England Conference selection, and was selected to play in the Senior Bowl.
He is very active in the Connecticut community and is the Director of Coaching of the prestigious Connecticut Football Club. He is also the Co-Director of CT Summer Select, a youth summer soccer program with over 300 players. He is a member of the Connecticut Olympic Development Program staff. He holds a SFF (Swedish Football Federation) B License, a USSF C License and a NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma. After a second stint as the East Region Chair for the NCAA Championships from 2012-14, he was promoted to the National Chair in January 2014 through January 2016. Since 2017, he has served as an NCAA Coaches Connection representative.
Nilerud resides in Connecticut with his wife, Sharon, and their three daughters, Isabelle, Sofia and Lilliana.
