Gonzaga men’s soccer coach Thorarinsson retiring after 23 seasons

Gonzaga men’s soccer coach Einar Thorarinsson, who led the Bulldogs to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances, announced his retirement Monday after 23 years.

“It seems like yesterday when I started coaching at Gonzaga, where have the years gone?” said Thorarinsson, whose retirement is effective Dec. 31.

Gonzaga men’s soccer head coach Einar Thorarinsson today announced his retirement effective Dec. 31 after 23 years at the helm of the program.

Thorarinsson, a native of Iceland, came to Gonzaga in January 1995. He is the all-time program leader in wins with 163 and led GU to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances in 2001 and 2007, plus West Coast Conference titles in 1997 and 1998.

Under his watch, the Bulldogs have finished in the top five in the league 14 times, including eight WCC finishes in the top three.

He has been named WCC Coach of the Year on three separate occasions (1996, 1997, and 2005) and coached 22 First Team All-WCC selections, along with three WCC Player of the Year winners, as there were none prior to his arrival.

“We want to thank Einar for his dedication to Gonzaga for the past 23 years,” athletic director Mike Roth said.

The search for a new men’s soccer head coach at Gonzaga will begin immediately.