Krystian Witkowski

Krystian Witkowski was hired as the Head Men's Soccer Coach in January 2024. Witkowski has spent the last three seasons as a member of the Northwestern University coaching staff, accepting the first assistant coaching position before being promoted to Associate Head Coach.

The Wildcats achieved a great deal of success during his tenure, highlighted by the team's 10-4-3 overall record in 2023 – the program's best mark since the 2008 campaign. As a result of that success, Northwestern garnered its highest United Soccer Coaches Poll ranking at number 12 and was listed among the nation's top 25 in six of 11 weeks.

While the Wildcats received national recognition as a team, many of the student-athletes that Witkowski coached also earned national and regional honors. He mentored five All-North Region selections as well as numerous All-Big Ten picks during his stay. In his first two seasons with the program, Witkowski helped engineer two nationally-ranked recruiting class that ranked fifth in 2022 and sixth in 2023.

"I am humbled and thrilled to have been selected as the next Head Men's Soccer Coach at Fairfield University," said Witkowski. "I want to express my deepest gratitude to President Nemec, Paul Schlickmann, Zach Dayton, and the entire search committee for entrusting me with the great responsibility of leading the next generation of Fairfield's men's soccer players. I would also like to thank Russell Payne for his unwavering support and mentorship throughout the years and wish the Northwestern University Men's Soccer team continued success. We will build upon the strong foundation established by Carl Rees, guiding our student-athletes in their daily pursuit of excellence and achieving new heights both in the classroom and on the pitch. My family and I are eager to serve Fairfield University and the entire Fairfield community."

Witkowski's coaching resume also includes a four-year year stint at Army West Point, where he again built nationally-ranked recruiting classes from 2020-22. The program achieved unprecedented success during his time at West Point, as the team finished 2018 as the Patriot League Championship runner-up and earned the best RPI ranking in school history at number 19 out of 206 teams in 2017. Many student-athletes went on to collect honors during Witkowski's stay, including 11 All-Conference selections, three All-Academic choices, four All-Region picks, and two Regional All-America players.

Witkowski started his coaching career at his alma mater Marist College where he assisted from 2013-16. In his final year, the Red Foxes hosted their first-ever home playoff game in program history in the 2016 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship after posting 11 wins.

The Rochester, N.Y. native made his mark in the professional ranks as well, serving as a Performance Analyst with the New York Red Bulls II. In that position, he analyzed footage for the purposes of scouting and match preparation as well as on-field metrics that supported player development. He also played a role in the planning and execution of New York Red Bulls II training sessions.

Witkowski spent one season with the Philadelphia Union after being selected in the 2012 Major League Soccer Draft. He played his collegiate soccer from 2008-11 at Marist where was a three-time All-MAAC First Team student-athlete as well as a two-time NSCAA All-North Atlantic Region Second Team player. He secured three MAAC All-Academic Team honors as well as a slot on the CoSIDA Academic All-District teams in 2010 and 2011. He also played for the U-18 Polish National Team.

On campus, Witkowski earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Marist College in 2013 as well as a Master's of Science degree in Sports Management from Columbia University in 2016.

Krystian and his wife, Jessie, come to Fairfield with their son Leo Anthony Witkowski.

What they're saying:

Russell Payne, Head Men's Soccer Coach at Northwestern University
"Krystian consistently displays the essential character attributes needed to serve our student-athletes and work collaboratively in competitive high academic environments. He displays pride in his daily professional approach and care in developing genuine and lasting relationships with student-athletes and co-workers. He is a competitive, tactically astute coach who can build connections with student-athletes and effectively communicate at an impactful level. Krystian's ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with student-athletes and their families is second to none. The elite-level character and coaching qualities of Krystian Witkowski will further enhance the elite-level standards at Fairfield University. I wish success for Krystian, Jessie, their son Leo, and the Fairfield University Men's Soccer program."

Jim McElderry, Head Men's Soccer Coach at Rutgers University and Fairfield University Class of '93
"I am very excited about the future of Fairfield Men's Soccer with Krystian leading the program. He is a proven recruiter and has built tremendous relationships in the college soccer community. I know he will be a success and add to the rich soccer history at Fairfield University."

Matt Viggiano, Head Men's Soccer Coach at Marist College
"I could not be happier for Krystian, Jessie, and Leo. Fairfield is getting a tremendous young coach who checks all the boxes with his time spent at the pro level, working at top-notch academic institutions, and being an elite player. Combined with being a tremendous human, Coach Witkowski will be a fantastic asset to the University, the men's soccer program, and the MAAC."