URI alumnus returns to his roots

The University of Rhode Island men’s soccer team brought back an ex-Ram (1992-96) and assistant goalkeeper coach (1998-02) Kyle Froberg to serve the role of assistant coach, primarily training goalkeepers for next season.

During Froberg’s time as a player at Rhode Island he was named Freshman Athlete of the Year in 1992, while also helping his team reach back-to-back NCAA tournaments in 1995 and 1996, as well as an Atlantic-10 regular season and tournament title in 1996.

During Froberg’s time away from his alma mater, he became a successful head coach at nearby North Kingstown High School from 2006-15, where in 2007 and 2014 his boys high school team won Division I state titles. His consistent success earned him RI Coach of the Year honors three times (2006, 2007, and 2013).

“Adjusting to coaching high school soccer was tough, especially from a maturity perspective, where as a coach you’re expected to help them grow up as high school kids, compared to the college level where it’s a more professional atmosphere” Froberg said.

One player from Froberg’s time at North Kingstown High School who is now on the roster with him at URI is junior forward Nick Ferguson.

“Nick played for me during his four years at North Kingstown and was our captain his senior year,” Froberg said. “It’s a different relationship we had back then, now that he’s matured, as has his game, but it’s exciting to have an opportunity coaching a player you helped develop earlier in their career.”

Froberg missed being a part of the soccer program to which he dedicated so many years of his life. He now joins the staff with his old boss Ed Bradley, who is now Director of Operations, and two other URI alumni; head coach Gareth Elliott and assistant coach Frank Bergren, who also was the head coach at North Kingstown High School (1995-98).

“Being an ex-player and coach here I only live 15 minutes away and will always be attached to this university since I have many friends and memories from here,” Froberg said. “Coach Elliott and I have a lot of similarities in the way we think about the game and coaching. It makes the adjustment easier when you have a great staff to learn from in Coach Elliott, Tony (Bassett), Frank (Bergren) and Ed (Bradley).”

With Froberg’s new job comes new responsibilities, but the job is made easier with sophomore goalkeeper Nils Leifhelm coming off of a season in which he earned All Midwest Region Second Team, and Atlantic 10 First Team honors for the second straight season. Chad Fox is also a sophomore goalkeeper who is highly regarded by the coaching staff.

“I’m really excited to have the chance to work with the quality of goalkeepers and players we have here,” Froberg said. “Nils and Chad are both tremendous goalkeepers with great skill sets who have been coached well, I hope to continue their development.”

Since Froberg’s newly appointed position is a job he is quite used to, the new assistant coach is focused on creating good strong relationships with his new players and co-workers. Rhode Island is coming off of a 10-8-2 season where they reached the Atlantic 10 Semifinals, losing 2-1 to the University of Dayton.

With Froberg’s understanding and passion of the program’s background as a player, and coach with other ex-players and current coaches on his staff makes for what seems a great fit.

“In the offseason my goal is to form strong relationships with our players, and the coaching staff to form a strong trust with them going forward,”Froberg said. “As a team we are looking to bring A-10 titles and NCAA tournament runs each and every year.”