Francis X. Reidy | Saint Leo University | Men's Soccer Coach / Vice President, Director of Athletics | 1988-2023
Reidy retired in August 2023 after more than 35 years of service as vice president and director of athletics at Saint Leo University. Under his leadership, the Lions captured 30 Sunshine State Conference titles, two national championships, and made 125 NCAA Division II championship appearances.
When Reidy became director in 1999, Saint Leo had gone nearly three decades without a conference title. That changed in 2005 when men’s soccer broke through, sparking a new era of success. Since then, the Lions earned three Top-10 finishes in the Learfield Directors’ Cup, including a second-place national finish in 2015-16. Saint Leo was also honored four times with the Mayor’s Cup as the SSC’s top overall program.
Reidy's influence reached far beyond campus. He served as president of the Division II Athletics Directors Association, chaired the NCAA Championships Committee and the NCAA Men’s Basketball Committee, and played a key role in the Sunshine State Conference.
His leadership earned national recognition as a three-time Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year and a two-time SSC Coach of the Year. Before moving into administration, Reidy built a lasting legacy as Saint Leo’s head men’s soccer coach, becoming the program’s all-time winningest coach with 139 victories.
From coach to athletic director, Reidy transformed Saint Leo Athletics into a nationally respected competitor. His vision, service, and commitment leave a legacy that will inspire generations of Lions.