COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Saint John's University named Noel Quinn its interim head soccer coach on Thursday, Aug. 8. 

Quinn served as the Minnesota United FC's Director of Youth Development from 2020-23 and has been the executive director for the Tonka United Soccer Association in Minnetonka since. He replaces John Haws '99, who resigned July 18 following 14 seasons as head coach. 

Quinn served as Haws' assistant coach in 2019 and again during the 2020-21 academic year that saw the Johnnies play six games in the spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also assisted former head coach Pat Haws '72 for two seasons, during which time SJU won the MIAC playoff championship in 2005 and the conference's regular-season title in 2006. The Johnnies totaled a 39-18-6 (.667) record, including a 22-7-1 mark in MIAC play, during his four seasons on staff.

"I am excited to step in to help SJU on an interim basis," Quinn said. "SJU is a school and soccer program that is close to my heart and the opportunity to help through this moment of change is very meaningful to me. I look forward to helping SJU set up for the future in a positive way. With the help of the school and the assistant coaches, I believe we can have a successful season that is a rewarding experience for the student-athletes."

A 2002 graduate of the University of Ulster and a native of Belfast, Ireland, Quinn attended SJU in 2000-01 and has 13 years of high-school coaching experience in Minnesota. In addition to stops at Columbia Heights (2006-07), Simley (2008-11) and Eden Prairie (2012-15) High Schools, Quinn led St. Thomas Academy (2016-18) to a state Class A championship in 2016. He accumulated six top-three finishes in seven appearances at the state tournament. 

The Johnnies report to campus Aug. 16 and begin the 2024 season Aug. 30 vs. Wartburg, Iowa – the first of five-straight home games. SJU returns 75 percent (51 of 68) of its points from a team that finished sixth in the MIAC with a 4-4-2 record (7-7-4 overall) last season. Individually, the Johnnies welcome back five of their top seven point scorers and senior goalkeeper Evan Siefken (Lakeville, Minn./North), who is a two-time United Soccer Coaches All-Region IX and All-MIAC honoree.