[VCU MEN] Akron assistant Dave Giffard has been named head men's coach at VCU, replacing Tim O'Sullivan, whose contract was not renewed after last season.

"Bringing Dave to VCU is a real coup for our soccer program," VCU Director of Athletics Norwood Teague said. "What he and Caleb [Porter] were able to do at Akron has been nothing short of spectacular, and I am excited to see him apply it here at VCU. The future is bright for VCU soccer."

Giffard spent the last four years under Porter at Akron, which reached the 2009 Men's College Cup final before falling to Virginia on penalty kicks. The Zips finished with a 23-1-1 record.

"VCU is getting not only a good coach who will be extremely beneficial to the program's success soccer wise, but even more importantly, his quality as a person will benefit the mentoring of his student athletes academically and as people," Porter said. "Dave will hit the ground running and I expect his impact on the players and presence with the alumni and in the community to be felt immediately. "

Prior to Akron, Giffard spent one season as a volunteer assistant at Indiana and was an assistant at UAB from 2000-04.

He comes to VCU with a reputation for being a top-notch recruiter and excellent with goalkeepers.