The Muskingum University Athletic Department has announced the hiring of Corey Kirk as head coach of the men's soccer program.

Kirk arrives in New Concord after serving the past two seasons as assistant men's soccer coach at Ohio Wesleyan University. Kirk, a 2022 NCAC Coaching Staff of the Year honoree, helped lead the nationally-ranked Battling Bishops to back-to-back NCAA Tournaments and one North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Tournament Championship. While at Ohio Wesleyan, Kirk assisted with all day-to-day operations of the program, including the execution of training sessions, opponent scouting, recruiting, social media, and game day operations.

"Having Corey come into this position following a coaching stint in a nationally recognized Division III soccer program is exciting for the future of our program," said Director of Athletics Kari Winters. "Coach Kirk is bringing a strong love, and a competitive passion for the game of soccer that I am confident will benefit our program greatly. We welcome him and his family to Muskie Athletics!"

Additionally, Kirk has worked the past two years as the head coach of the Boys U19 ECNL-RL squad for the Ohio Premier Soccer Club in Plain City.

"It is an honor to be named head coach of Muskingum men's soccer," said Kirk. "I would like to thank President Sue Hasseler, Director of Athletics Kari Winters, and all involved in the search process for their trust in me to positively represent this program and the University. What attracts me most to the opportunity is the overwhelming support of the University to provide the best possible experience for its students and the vision and determination to develop the entire athletic department into a winner the right way. I am excited to build upon the outstanding standards set by Coach John Bluem and cannot wait to get to work. A final thank you to my wife, Lindsay, and daughters, Lennon and Harlow, for their love and support throughout this journey. Go Muskies!"

Before Ohio Wesleyan, Kirk was the associate head coach at New Albany High School, where he was the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association (OSSCA) Boys Division I State Assistant Coach of the Year in 2020 and helped lead New Albany to the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division I State Runner-Up. Prior to New Albany, Kirk coached at his alma mater, Watkins Memorial High School, serving as head coach from 2016-19 and as an assistant coach from 2012-15. He was the 2016 Licking County League Coach of the Year.

Kirk graduated Magna Cum Laude from Ohio Dominican University in 2010 with a B.A. in communication studies. He was a four-year starter and captain on the nationally-ranked men's soccer team and was a two-time NAIA Scholar-Athlete honoree.