Aidan Heaney is the current Head Coach at UNCW and has been for the past 23 seasons. A native of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Aidan was a Goalkeeper and was recruited to play at UNC Charlotte from 1988-1992 following time at Newcastle United as a youth and member of the England Schools U18 national team. He graduated with a degree in International Business in 1992.

As a player, Heaney powered Charlotte’s 49ers to their first NCAA Tournament in 1991. He was a two-time team Most Valuable Player and an Academic All-America pick. He still ranks among the 49ers all-time leaders in career shutouts and goals against average. 

Moving into the professional ranks, Heaney then led the Greensboro Dynamo to a pair of national titles in the USISL in 1993 and 1994, being named Atlantic Division Goalkeeper of the Year in 1993 and team MVP and Defensive MVP in 1994.

During a stint with Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution in 1996-97, Heaney started 19 games and finished fifth in the league in goals against average. Heaney began his professional career in Germany in 1992 before moving to MLS.

Coaching was always the next step for Heaney. After spells as an assistant coach at UNCG (1993-94), UNC (1995-96) , Penn State (1997-99), he became a Head Coach in 1999 at the age of 30 in Boone, NC at Appalachian State. He stayed in the mountains for two years before heading to the beach and an opportunity to coach UNCW in 2001. He has helped the Seahawks to 4 NCAA tournament appearances, four CAA championships and 5 CAA Coach of the Year awards, amassing over 200 wins at the helm.

Heaney is married to the former Dr. Stephanie Freccia, of Fayetteville, N.C., and they have three children – Maeve (15), Millie (13) and Harry (11).