John Lichina '14, who was named Allegheny College's interim head men's soccer coach in the summer of 2022, was promoted to the role on a permanent basis in January of 2023. The former Gator goalkeeper previously spent three years on the sideline as an assistant coach from 2019-2021.

Lichina was a four-time All-North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) goalkeeper at Allegheny during his undergraduate career, finishing his time as the program's leader in career shutouts (21). In total, he started 71 games in four seasons, posting a 35-26-8 record and 1.32 goals against average, while making 364 saves. A two-year captain, he also earned Allegheny's "Newcomer of the Year" award in 2011.

Lichina returned to his alma mater after serving two seasons as the assistant men's soccer coach at nearby fellow Division III program, Washington & Jefferson. With the Presidents, he handled training sessions for goalkeepers, aided in scouting, travel coordination, in-game tactics and off-season workouts and managed the recruiting database, while also coordinating campus visits. During the same period, he worked as the head goalkeeper coach for Victory Express Soccer Club, a developmental program in the Pittsburgh area. From 2015-17, Lichina worked as the assistant goalkeeping director for SCS United Soccer Club and as an assistant varsity soccer coach at Hampton High School near Pittsburgh.

A native of Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, Lichina earned his Bachelor's degree from Allegheny in English with a concentration in journalism, and minor in history. He was a contributor for The Campus, a student senator for the Allegheny Student Government (ASG) and a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Upon graduation, Lichina spent two seasons with the Fort Pitt Regiment of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL).

He holds a "D" license from the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and Goalkeeping Diplomas 1 and 2 from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), now the United Soccer Coaches.

Allegheny Coaching Highlights

2023

PAC Quarterfinals

Three All-PAC: Brady Napoleon (1st), Matthew Taliani (HM), Will Gruca (HM)

2022

PAC Quarterfinals

Four All-PAC: Brady Napoleon (1st), Henry Rosenberg (2nd), Gabe Anthony (HM), Matt Taliani (HM)

Six CoSIDA Academic All-District: Gunnar Brettell, Zach Ioli, Cam Kaminski, Shane Lisman, William Lowthert, Matthew Taliani