Chris Fidler begins his third season on the staff at Coastal Carolina and will serve as an assistant coach and director of goalkeepers.

Fidler’s experience with goalkeepers was on tap for all to see in his work with CCU goalie and Nashville SC draftee Tor Saunders.

Saunders came to the Chanticleers for the 2020 season and under the tutelage of Fidler became one of the top goalies not only in the Sun Belt, but in the nation as well.

Saunders went on to win All-Sun Belt honors along with Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year, Sun Belt All-Tournament, and Sun Belt Championship Most Outstanding Player honors.

He finished the season with six shutouts, good enough to lead the conference and finish sixth nationally, as well as securing 52 saves in goal. His 0.96 goals against average was also one of the top in the Sun Belt and in the nation.

Fidler came to CCU after serving on the coaching staff at the University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas, for eight years, including serving as the interim head coach in both 2018 and 2019.

Prior to taking over the program at UIW, Fidler was an assistant coach from 2012-18, where the Red Cardinal enjoyed great success both on and off the field.

Five of his former players have entered the pro ranks worldwide, while he also served as the goalkeepers coach for San Antonio City FC (USL) under head coach Darren Powell (2019-20).

Prior to his time in the states, Chris played 10 years at the prestigious Manchester City (EPL) Youth Academy (1999-2006) and was one of the top youth goalkeepers in England.

“We are very excited to have Chris join our staff here at Coastal Carolina,” Docking said. “He also has a vast amount of goalkeeping and coaching experience that he has gained at one of the world’s best youth academies.”

“Having spent 10 years as a player, learning and developing within the youth academies, and having spent 10 years as a player, learning and developing within the Manchester City youth academy with the world’s most modern GK and coaching environments, excited us very much. Combine that with his experiences as a head coach at the NCAA Division I men’s level, and coaching GK’s at the professional level, it became obvious to me that Chris was the best candidate for the position here at Coastal I fully believe that Chris can also help attain our goal of reaching the NCAA Division I Final Four in very short order.”