Lindenwood Men’s Football Head Coach Chris Bertsch has announced the addition of Ian Henry as assistant coach ahead of the 2023 season.
“I am delighted to welcome Ian Henry and his family to Lindenwood,” said Bertsch. “Ian is not only an experienced and great coach, but an even better person. It goes without saying that he will move quickly into the program as he shares the same values and vision for building a championship culture.” Bertsch wasted no time in hiring his assistant as he feels he has a lot to do brings the table.
“Ian’s football background and strong relationships locally, nationally and internationally will be instrumental in building a championship program on and off the field. He has a great eye for talent and what is being implemented at the college level. Ian is a passionate coach and able to impart the details that win games and develop student athletes to their full potential. Ian embodies what we’re looking for at Lindenwood Soccer: humble, hungry and open-minded. We’re all really looking forward to Coach Henry hitting the ground running at Lindenwood!”
Henry comes to Lindenwood after spending the last three years as MLS Next Director of Coaching at Saint Louis Scott Gallagher (SLSG). During that time, Henry coached 180 of the city’s best players across five age groups in MLS Next. He also coached and promoted players to the next level, including 34 NCAA Division I athletes, 38 MLS Academy players, seven US National Team representatives and six MLS draftees.
Prior to SLSG, Henry spent a season as an assistant coach at SIUE. He also had stints in Evansville and Central Arkansas at the college level. While in Central Arkansas, he helped lead the Bears to the 2018 MVC regular season and tournament title. From 2015 to 2017, Henry was the top assistant coach at Evansville. During his three years at Evansville, Henry helped lead the Purple Aces to 24 wins, including seven in MVC play and two MVC tournament wins. Evansville increased their overall wins in each of Henry’s squadrons on the staff from three in 2015 to eleven in 2017.
Henry also spent two seasons at Drury, where he helped the Panthers to 28 wins in two seasons and one second-round appearance in the NCAA Division II tournament. While at Drury, Henry was the head coach of the PDL’s Springfield Demize, which he led to a third-place finish at the 2013 conference, the club’s best finish to date.
Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Henry played collegiate football with the Missouri Baptist, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in sports management. He holds coaching licenses from the Football Association of Ireland and the United State Soccer Federation.
