Jonathan Raj

Jonny Raj was named Head Men's Soccer Coach and Assistant Athletic Director in March 2023.

Jonny Raj previously spent seven seasons with the Fairfield University men's soccer program as an assistant coach, after spending two seasons as an assistant at the University of Bridgeport.

During his first season back at his alma-mater, he helped the team capture the 2017 MAAC Regular Season title as well as the 2017 MAAC Championship garnering a bid to the NCAA Tournament where they fell short to nationally ranked opponent, University of New Hampshire. He helped the team to a 12-5-3 record while guiding team captain, Angus Hastings to an Academic All-American selection as well as capturing the MAAC Men’s Soccer Coaching Staff of the Year award.

In 2018, the Stags defeated nationally ranked #9 University of North Carolina Wilmington at the UNCW Springhill Suites Classic while winning back to back MAAC Regular Season titles. Raj helped the Stags to an undefeated conference slate with an overall record of 11-5-2 while also helping Jonas Vergin to MAAC Defensive Player of the Year, Gordon Botterill to MAAC Goalkeeper of the Year and collecting the MAAC Men’s Soccer Coaching Staff of the year award for a second straight year.

In a shortened season, Jonny helped the Stags reach a 2019-2020 MAAC semifinal with Gordon Botterill picking up MAAC Goalkeeper of the Year and Thomas Drillien to MAAC Rookie of the Year.

In 2021, the Stags missed out on yet another chance to play in the MAAC Championship Final falling short to Rider in the semifinal. Jonny helped guide Cormac Pike to All MAAC first team honors.

Prior to Fairfield, Jonny spent two seasons as an Assistant Coach at the University of Bridgeport under coaches Brian Quinn and Peter Doneit.

Raj was a four-year varsity soccer player at Fairfield University, beginning with the 2009 season. He earned three First Team All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) honors as a defender following his sophomore, junior and senior seasons.

He was a First Team New England All Region as a junior and a senior as well as making the Herman Trophy Watchlist going into his Senior year.

Raj also spent a summer playing for the Chicago Fire in the PDL serving as club captain in which they reached the quarterfinal of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as an amateur side eventually falling to eventual winners Sporting Kansas City.

He also spent a year with Reading United as well as CFC Azul out of Connecticut again serving as a captain.

During his four years as a Fairfield Varsity player, Raj started in every single game with one exception when he was sidelined due to an ankle injury. He served as a captain his final three years with the program, guiding the program to MAAC regular-season and tournament title during his career.

He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Master in Public Administration from Fairfield as well as a Master of Business Administration from the University of Bridgeport.

Before Fairfield the defender played with the New Zealand U20 national team before deciding to enroll at Fairfield University. He was also a part of New Zealand’s Auckland City FC who were winners of the Oceania Federation and earned a berth to the FIFA Club World Cup.