DAHLONEGA – The University of North Georgia (UNG) head men's soccer coach Anel Lilic has announced the hiring of Joel Mcilroy as the program's newest assistant coach.

Mcilroy joins the Nighthawks after spending the previous two years as a graduate assistant at Clayton State (CSU). 

With the Lakers, Mcilroy helped the program finish as Peach Belt Conference Regular-season Champions in both 2023 and 2024 with a PBC Tournament title in 2023 as well.

During Mcilroy's time in Morrow, Ga., the Lakers went 28-8-5 and made two appearances in the NCAA Tournament marking the program's first return to the NCAA postseason since 2010. In 2023, CSU was bounced in the Second Round of the tournament. When the Lakers returned to the dance in 2024, Mcilroy helped guide the team to a tie for the deepest postseason run in program history as they lost to eventual National Champion Lynn in the Elite Eight. 

Mcilroy is also in his third year as a club coach at AFC Lightning with the U15 and U16 boys teams. He was also added to the coaching staff for Apotheos FC in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) in Atlanta for the last two seasons. 

Mcilroy's collegiate coaching career started in Oklahoma City at Southern Nazarene where he was a graduate assistant for the 2022 season in which the Storm were crowned Great American Conference Regular-season and Tournament Champions, solidifying the first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. 
 
Prior to his coaching career, Mcilroy had a successful playing career from 2017-21. He started his playing career at the University of Mary where he played in 23 matches and knocked in five goals. Mcilroy then transferred to Quincy for the next two seasons. In 32 matches, he scored a pair of goals and added an assist. He then used his final season of eligibility to play at Clayton State. In his one season with the Lakers, Mcilroy notched a pair of assists in 19 matches as a starting center back.

"We're thrilled to welcome Joel Mcilroy to the North Georgia men's soccer staff. Joel is a proven winner who played a key role in guiding Clayton State to back-to-back regular season championships, a conference tournament title and an NCAA Elite Eight appearance," said Lilic. 

"He brings a relentless work ethic, a sharp tactical mind, and a strong track record as a recruiter. Joel is an excellent addition to our program, and I'm confident he'll make an immediate impact as we continue to raise the standard here at UNG."

Lilic also added former CSU and Georgia Southwestern (GSW) goalkeeper Mauricio Uribe to the coaching staff as a graduate assistant. Uribe, a three-time PBC All-Conference goalkeeper, will work with both the Nighthawk men's and women's soccer programs as the primary goalkeepers coach for both squads. 

The 2024 CSU graduate started 34 games over the last two seasons with the Lakers, totaling 124 saves and a .775 save percentage. Uribe made dual appearances on the Southeast All-Region Teams in 2024 for both the Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) and the United Soccer Coaches. 

Assistant coach Omar Jarun has also returned for his second season in Dahlonega while graduate assistant Alex Wright is back for another year on the coaching staff as well. Lilic has also added the support of three former players as student assistant coaches and a volunteer assistant coach as well.