David MacWilliams out as head coach at Temple

After 18 seasons at the helm, Temple men’s soccer head coach David MacWilliams is moving on.

Temple University Athletic Director Patrick Kraft announced Wednesday that MacWilliams’ contract will not be renewed.

"On behalf of all of us in the Temple Family, I want to thank Dave for his service and commitment to our University and to the hundreds of young men who came through his program," Kraft said in a statement. "We have high expectations at Temple and I believe we need a fresh voice leading us forward. We wish Dave and Beth and their children all of the best in the future."

The Owls finished 9-8-1 this season, their second at the new Temple Sports Complex, earning a spot in the American Athletic Conference semifinals but a 4-0 loss to top-seeded SMU ended their season much the way every season has ended since 1985 - without a berth into the NCAA Tournament.

Over his 18 seasons, MacWilliams guided the Owls to a 140-164-34 record. The Owls hit double-digits in wins seven times during that span, including back-to-back 10 win seasons in 2015 and 2016.

The Philadelphia native starred at Philadelphia University, where he captained the 1978 College Cup team and went on to play professionally for the North American Soccer League’s Philadelphia Fury and Tampa Bay Rowdies and had a successful career in indoor soccer with the Philadelphia Fever, Chicago Sting and Baltimore Blast.

He was a head coach for the Philadelphia Kixx and Baltimore Spirit in indoor soccer before taking the job at Temple.

A national search will be conducted to find MacWilliams’ successor.