CINCINNATI — University of Cincinnati head women’s soccer coach Michelle Salmon announced Monday the addition of Michael Crane to the Bearcats coaching staff.

“Michael is a great addition to our staff. He brings a high level of experience with him after coaching with one of the top coaches in the game, Robbie Church at Duke University,” said Salmon. “What Michael was able to accomplish last year at South Alabama is a testament to what he brings to a staff and I felt he was a perfect fit for our program. We’re excited that he’s a Bearcat and look forward to our upcoming season.”

Crane, a Bellbrook, Ohio native, arrives at UC after serving as an assistant coach at University of South Alabama for the 2011-12 season where he helped guide the Jaguars to a record of 12-5-3, a seven-win improvement from the previous year, their best ledger in 10 years and highest finish in the Sun Belt Conference in five seasons. While at South Alabama, Crane assisted with nearly all aspects of team management; including game preparation, scouting and recruiting.

“It’s an honor and privilege to join the University of Cincinnati women’s soccer staff,” said. “Growing up as a youth soccer player in southern Ohio, I have a true appreciation for the people and, most importantly, the potential that exists in the area. UC has a rich soccer tradition and I’m excited to contribute to its future. I look forward to working with Michelle Salmon and Amanda Martin and to helping Cincinnati succeed on the national level.”

Prior to his time at South Alabama, Crane spent two years at Atlantic Coast Conference schools; Clemson University in 2010-11 and Duke in 2009-10. His efforts at Clemson helped Tigers goalkeeper Lauren Arnold lead the ACC in saves per match and place second overall in total saves.

Crane was an assistant at Duke during the 2009 season when the Blue Devils qualified for the NCAA Championship. He worked primarily with the team’s goalkeepers, including Tara Campbell, a 2009 All-ACC Second Team and All-ACC Freshman Team selection.

A member of the associate and national goalkeeping staffs of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, Crane has also served as the site director of the SoccerPlus Goalkeeper School in Hartford, Conn. since 2006.

Crane was a staff member of the Olympic Development Program in Alabama (2012) and North Carolina (2009-11). Additionally, he was the head coach of the Chapel Hill (N.C.) Triangle United Under-11 boys’ and U-16 girls’ teams from 2009-11, while coaching the goalkeepers for the Raleigh (N.C.) Capital Area Soccer League from 2009-10.

From 2008 to ‘09, Crane was the head coach of the Zionsville (Ind.) Youth Soccer Association’s U-15 and U-16 girls’ teams, while also serving as the director of goalkeeping for the entire club.

Crane graduated from University of Indianapolis with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science in May 2009 after transferring from Akron following his sophomore season. A two-year letterwinner at goalkeeper for Indianapolis, he recorded seven shutouts and a 1.02-goal-against average in 25 matches played.

Crane was in pursuit of a master’s degree in business administration while coaching at South Alabama.

A 2005 graduate of Bellbrook High School, Crane earned two varsity letters in both soccer and basketball, while earning the All-Miami Valley Sportsmanship Award for varsity soccer as a junior. He registered 11 shutouts in goal as a senior en route to earning first-team all-conference and all-district accolades.