Adam Kleman enters his fourth season as an assistant coach with the Southeast Missouri women’s soccer program. He joined the Redhawks in 2014 after spending the previous two seasons as a graduate assistant coach at Eastern Kentucky, a fellow member of the Ohio Valley Conference.
Kleman serves as the goalkeepers coach and handles administrative tasks, team travel, meals, compliance, and recruiting while assisting in overall player development.
The 2016 season featured seven shutouts of the Redhawks’ opponents. The campaign was highlighted by a season-opening 1-0 shutout of Southeastern Conference opponent Tennessee. The Redhawks began the season 6-0-1, five coming by way of shutout. The Redhawks’ 18 goals allowed ranked third-best in the OVC as did their 0.95 goals against average.
Kleman's work with the goalkeepers lent to Southeast recording 11 shutouts in 2015, his second season with the program. The Redhawks finished the 2015 campaign with an 0.93 goals against average and an 80.7% save percentage. SEMO's 0.93 goals against average and 1.00 goals allowed per game each ranked third in the league while it's 11 shutouts ranked first; SIUE ranked second with eight.
In his first season in 2014, Kleman helped guide the Redhawks to their fifth OVC title. Kleman mentored freshman goalkeeper Kindra Lierz that season. Lierz went on to be the first player in league history to earn both OVC Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors. Lierz also earned First Team All-OVC and All-Newcomer accolades. The Redhawks led the OVC in goal allowed (0.71), goals against average (0.70), and shutouts (8).
During his tenure with EKU, Kleman was responsible for on-field coaching, off-campus recruiting, travel arrangements and video editing. In 2012, the Colonels enjoyed a record-breaking season, setting program marks for wins (10), conference victories (6), goals (22), assists (18), points (62) and shots (253). EKU posted an undefeated home record (8-0-1) for the first time in school history and had three players selected first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference, the most in program annals. The Colonels finished as the runner-up in the OVC Tournament, suffering defeat on penalty kicks.
In 2013, EKU also had three players earn All-OVC honors and earned the NSCAA Team Academic Award for the second consecutive season.
A native of Elida, Ohio, Kleman competed collegiately as a defender at Transylvania University (2004-07). The Pioneers posted a 56-10-13 record during his career, won four consecutive Heartland Conference titles and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2007. Kleman scored four goals during his career.
Kleman earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Transylvania in 2008 and a master’s degree in Sports Administration from Eastern Kentucky in 2013.
He and his wife, Bo, reside in Cape Girardeau with their daughter, Journey.
