Coaching Carousel

[Kuiper]

Mike Haines Named Men's Head Soccer Coach at Kalamazoo

Mike Haines was introduced as Kalamazoo College's head men's soccer coach on Friday, December 20, 2024.

A proud Kalamazoo College alum, Haines returns to his alma mater as head men's soccer coach after a successful coaching career at multiple levels. Most recently, Haines was assistant men's soccer coach at Western Michigan University, where he helped lead the Broncos to a 45-7-12 record the past three seasons. WMU was ranked as high as No. 4 in the nation in 2024, earned three consecutive NCAA Tournament bids and had a national-best unbeaten streak of 37 games during that span.

"I'm very excited for this opportunity to lead the men's soccer program at my alma mater," Haines said. "It has been a dream of mine to come back to K, an institution that has given me so much. I believe K can contend for and win MIAA championships. This is the culture I experienced as a student-athlete at K and one I want to provide for the current and future players. I can't wait to get to work."

Haines was head women's soccer coach at Western Michigan University from 1998-2009, leading the Broncos to nine MAC Tournament appearances, one MAC Tournament championship and one NCAA Tournament appearance. Haines coached 16 All-MAC performers, 12 All-MAC Academic Team members, four All-Region players and one Freshman All-American.

In between his stints at WMU, Haines was an assistant women's soccer coach at Kalamazoo College from 2019-2022. He helped the Hornets to the MIAA Tournament all three seasons and advanced to the tournament finals twice.

Haines began his collegiate coaching career as head women's soccer coach at Kalamazoo College in 1996, where he led the Hornets for two seasons. His career record of 32-3-3 (.882) remains the best winning percentage in program history. Haines' 1997 team qualified for the NCAA Championships and beat Wilmington in the first round before bowing out to eventual national semifinalist Washington University (Mo.).

[Kuiper]

PJ Ringel named interim Men's Soccer Head Coach at The College of New Jersey

It's not often anymore that a school looks to the coaching staff of the Men's basketball team for its interim men's soccer coach.  That feels like something that used to happen in the 1970s, when the AD walked through the school's athletic offices and said "Hey, we just started a soccer team.  Anyone want to make a few extra bucks and coach it." 

Very odd.  This could either go pretty well, because he is a promising up-and-coming coach of young men, even if he has never done it in soccer or played the sport since high school, or it will go very badly.  It's a little jarring to see the references in the press release coming from the school's basketball and wrestling coaches.  They had to dig deep to find soccer references from a family friend and a former club soccer teammate.

P.J. Ringel '21 has been named interim head coach of the TCNJ men's soccer program, Executive Director of Athletics Amanda DeMartino announced Monday.

Despite many offers to play soccer at the collegiate level, Ringel opted to continue his basketball career at TCNJ, where he enjoyed a terrific career for the Lions and went on to win championships as both a player and coach. A three-year starter at point guard, he ranks third all-time in program history with 294 career assists, including a remarkable 155 during the 2019-20 season to place second in a single campaign at TCNJ. That total led the NJAC and stood 19th in all of Division III. Ringel also led the team and ranked fifth in the NJAC with 55 steals as the Lions won the NJAC championship and posted their first NCAA Tournament win since 1989.

In his COVID-shortened senior season (2020-21), Ringel earned second-team All-NJAC honors after averaging 11.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game. That year, he again topped the NJAC in assists per game, finishing seventh in the country.

Ringel spent the previous two years as a graduate assistant to men's basketball head coach Matt Goldsmith, playing an instrumental role in helping the Lions capture the NJAC championship in 2024.

I wonder if he will just go back to the men's basketball coaching staff at the end of the soccer season.

To circle back to this hire of PJ Ringel, an assistant coach on the basketball team, as an interim soccer coach at TCNJ, I checked to see whether they had at least brought in an assistant coach with experience.

Turns out they did.

Brian Woods, a 1986 TCNJ alum who was head men's soccer coach at William Paterson from 1992-2021 and a volunteer assistant at DI Rider recently, as well as head coach of USL 2 team Real Central Jersey, has agreed to come back and serve as an assistant to Ringel.

I wonder if Ringel initiated the hire, Woods reached out the AD to offer his services, or the AD was getting a ton of blowback from current players and alums about the interim hire and went out and asked Woods to help Ringel out.  Either way, it lends a bit more credibility to the interim staff.

Looks like the basketball coach really was just named soccer coach as an interim move.

TCNJ have now posted the announcement for a full-time head men's soccer coach

https://www.higheredjobs.com/details.cfm?JobCode=179011630

[Kuiper]

Michael Wright Named Head Men's Soccer Coach at Heidelberg

After an extensive search, Heidelberg University Athletic Director Greg Cooper found the right person to take over as the head men's soccer coach. Or rather, the Wright person.

On Thursday, Cooper named Michael Wright as the leader for the university's men's soccer program, effective immediately. Wright becomes the 13th head coach in program history, which dates back to 1966. 

Wright comes to Heidelberg after a successful three-year stint as an assistant coach at the University of Mount Union. During his time with the Purple Raiders, Wright helped guide the team into the Ohio Athletic Conference tournament each season. Mount Union won the OAC regular season title this past season.

"We are excited to bring Michael to Tiffin to help our men's soccer program get back to the level of success we have seen in the past with this program," said Cooper. "His detailed vision for the program and proven recruiting experience at Mount Union helped him emerge from a very deep applicant pool."

The Purple Raiders averaged more than 13 wins per season during Wright's stint as an assistant coach, including a program-record 16-win season in 2023.

[Kuiper]

John Ciano Named Head Coach of Union Men's Soccer

Bringing over 15 years of coaching experience at all levels of NCAA soccer, John Ciano has been named the next head coach of the Union College men's soccer team, Director of Athletics Jim McLaughlin '93 announced on Thursday.

Ciano brings a wide range of collegiate coaching experience to Union, having coached at all three levels of the NCAA in both head and assistant coaching roles over the last 16 years.

He comes to Schenectady from St. John's University, where he has served as an assistant coach for the last two seasons. In 2024, the Red Storm earned a share of their first BIG EAST East Division regular-season title and reached the conference semifinals, the team's second straight postseason appearance. He previously spent one year at Stony Brook University, serving as assistant coach while also taking part in the United Soccer Coaches Coach Credentialing Program.

Ciano is no stranger to the Capital Region, having spent six years as the head coach at Division II College of Saint Rose from 2016-21. The Golden Knights posted a 45-38-11 (.537) record in his time in Albany, including a stretch of four straight winning seasons for a program that had just one season over .500 throughout its first 36 years. He coached the team to the only two 10-win seasons at the school, concluding with a 10-6-2 campaign in 2021 that saw the team earn its highest finish in the Northeast-10 Conference regular-season standings and receive votes in the United Soccer Coaches national poll for the first time ever. His 2019 team also reached the 10-win plateau, earned the first postseason win in program annals, and reached the NE-10 Championship game for the first time ever. Ciano left the school with the highest winning percentage in program history by more than 200 percentage points.

"The Capital Region has always held a special place in my heart. I fell in love with the community and the sense of pride that was regularly on display when I spent nine years in the area," Ciano added. "I am really excited to reconnect with old friends, establish new relationships, and build a high achieving program on the field, in the classroom, and in the community."

Prior to his time at Saint Rose, Ciano saw success over a combined five seasons as an assistant coach at the Division I level with Siena College and New Jersey Institute of Technology. In three seasons at Siena from 2013-15, Ciano served as recruiting coordinator for the Saints and helped the squad to 25 wins and a pair of MAAC Tournament appearances, including a 10-8-2 record in 2014 that remains the second-highest win total in a season in program history. In the second season of his two-year stint with NJIT (2011-12), the Highlanders produced the most wins in their Division I history.

Ciano began his collegiate coaching tenure at Division III Manhattanville College (2009-10), where he helped guide the Valiants to a combined 24-11-2 record and a MAC Freedom regular-season title in 2009.

As an undergraduate, Ciano was a four-year starter in goal between his time at Central Connecticut State University and Manhattan College, starting 54-of-55 games in one year with the Blue Devils and three years with the Jaspers. He graduated from Manhattan in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in physical education.

[Ejay]

Good hire for Union.

[SimpleCoach]

John Ciano Named Head Coach of Union Men's Soccer

Bringing over 15 years of coaching experience at all levels of NCAA soccer, John Ciano has been named the next head coach of the Union College men's soccer team, Director of Athletics Jim McLaughlin '93 announced on Thursday.

Ciano brings a wide range of collegiate coaching experience to Union, having coached at all three levels of the NCAA in both head and assistant coaching roles over the last 16 years.

Quite the resume.  Looks like someone I will have to talk to....

SC.

[Kuiper]

Matthew O'Toole steps down after 13 years at Clark

Clark University head men's soccer coach Matthew O'Toole has stepped down from his position as head coach of the men's soccer team after 13 seasons of leading the program.

O'Toole arrived in Worcester in 2012 and quickly set about establishing a culture of excellence both on and off the field. Under his leadership, the Cougars steadily ascended within the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC). O'Toole compiled 88 total wins and three NEWMAC Semifinal appearances in his time with the Cougars.

O'Toole's coaching career is marked by a series of successful stops at some of the most competitive programs in the country. Prior to joining Clark, he served as an assistant coach at Amherst College, which was ranked the 10th best Division III program in the nation in 2011. While at Amherst, O'Toole helped guide the team to both the NESCAC regular season and tournament championships, and to the third round of the NCAA Tournament. He also had stints as an assistant coach at the University of Richmond and Bridgewater College, as well as a successful early career as an assistant at Wheaton College, where he helped the Lyons reach the NCAA Final Four in 2003.

[Kuiper]

Matt Kern steps down after 9 years at Hendrix

Matt Kern has resigned as head coach of the men's soccer program, Hendrix College announced on Monday.

"Coaching at Hendrix has been one of the greatest honors of my career," said Kern. "I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together and am grateful for the time and relationships with current and former student-athletes, parents, colleagues in the athletic department, faculty and staff, the administration, and especially Athletic Director Amy Weaver. I will forever be a fan of Hendrix College and Hendrix soccer."

Kern amassed a record of 34-93-15 during his tenure in Conway. Kern took over a program that had only won 5 matches in the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) since Hendrix joined the league in 2012. He led Hendrix to its best-ever SAA finish in 2022, when the Warriors finished 8-8-4 with a program-best four conference wins that allowed Hendrix to host its first-ever first round SAA tournament match at Warrior Soccer Field.

[Scot_Fan]

Houghton hires alum Scott Reitnour as their Head Coach

Former Houghton soccer standout Scott Reitnour has been named head coach of the Houghton University men's soccer program, Houghton Director of Athletics Matthew Webb announced today.
 
Reitnour, who has coached for the past 22 seasons at one of North Carolina's most successful private high schools, becomes the sixth head coach in the program's 58-year history and takes the reins from Bobby McColl who stepped away in November after leading the team for six seasons.
 
"I am thrilled to welcome Scott back home to Houghton men's soccer. His passion and acumen for coaching winning soccer is clear in his numerous accolades and championships over the years, but what is more impressive is his passion for developing young men for others," said Webb. "Scott has had numerous opportunities over the years to coach collegiately, but the timing now is right, and the mission of Houghton athletics and Scott's mission to pour into young men within the context of sport is a perfect match.
 
"In addition to leading the men's soccer program, Scott will also be leading us departmentally in our long-standing commitment to sports ministry – utilizing sport as an opportunity to share Christ with others. I can't wait to see how God uses Scott in the lives of both current and future Houghton Highlanders."
 
A native of Fillmore and a 1996 Houghton graduate, Reitnour brings close to 30 years of coaching experience at the high school, club, collegiate, and professional levels. He returns to New York after leading the varsity boys' program at Wesleyan Christian Academy in High Point, N.C., since 2003.
 
Wesleyan has traditionally been one of the top programs in North Carolina and the nation. Reitnour guided the program to 17-straight state semifinal appearances, 12 state championship games, and eight NCISAA state titles. In addition to state success, seven of Reitnour's teams have been ranked in the United Soccer Coaches Association Top-10 National Rankings, including twice earning the No. 1 national ranking and finishing at No. 2 and No. 3 in the final polls of those seasons.
 
During his time at Wesleyan, Reitnour amassed a 411-82-36 record, was named NCSCA State Coach of the Year on nine occasions and was a four-time finalist for the USC National Coach of the Year award. More than 100 of Reitnour's players have gone on to compete at the collegiate level with a number continuing their careers professionally.
 
"I would like to personally thank Dr. Wayne Lewis, Dr. Matthew Webb and the administrators, coaches and players at Houghton who have been gracious and endearing during the hiring process," said Reitnour. "I am eager to rekindle old friendships, reconnect with Houghton alumni, and help Houghton University prosper and grow. My heart is full of passion to assist current and future Highlanders on their journey towards loving God and serving other people. I am eager to work with the current Houghton Highlanders in the men's soccer program. Entertaining, competitive, edifying soccer and sports ministry looms on the horizon."
 
Reitnour has served as chair on various committees for selecting all-conference and all-state teams and selecting and seeding state tournaments. He has run instructional soccer leagues and has served as a club coach for NC Fusion, Piedmont Soccer Alliance and Piedmont Triad Football Club. He also served three years as coach of the West Virginia Kings Warriors professional (PDL) team. His professional coaching experience also includes work with the Charlotte Eagles Soccer Club (1994-2001).
 
Reitnour has a passion for sports ministry, leading numerous domestic and international trips and founding Imago Dei Soccer Academy. After running the academy for seven years he donated the program to Missionary Athletes International in order to create full time vocational and ministry opportunities for missionaries. He has also participated in international tours as a player with the Charlotte Eagles.
 
"I look forward to walking in my sports ministry calling at Houghton, where the University provides a Christ-centered education that prepares students to be scholar-servants in a changing world," added Reitnour. "My prayer is that Houghton Highlander soccer would fulfill its role in the University's mission by bringing encouragement, hope, love and support to the surrounding communities."
 
Before beginning at Wesleyan, Reitnour served as athletic director and boys and girls soccer coach at First Assembly Christian School in Concord, N.C., where he led his teams to another 94 wins over four seasons.
 
Before moving south, Reitnour was an assistant at Alfred University (1997-99) and assisted at Houghton during the 1996 season.
 
His playing career at Houghton included guiding the team to a 69-17-3 record, four KECC Conference titles, two NAIA National Tournament appearances, and four NAIA top-20 finishes. The 1994 team finished 20-3 and was ranked No. 5 in the final NAIA poll.
 
His work at Wesleyan also included coaching tennis and serving as a philosophy, government and economics teacher.

Reitnour excelled in soccer and tennis at Fillmore and is a 2014 inductee into the Allegany County Sports Hall of Fame.
 
Reitnour holds a bachelor's degree from Houghton in psychology and a master's degree in social studies education from Alfred University.

[Kuiper]

Trevor Persson steps down as Men's Soccer head coach at LaVerne

University of La Verne Director of Athletics Dr. Jenna Panatier has announced the resignation of Trevor Persson as head coach of the men's soccer and women's golf teams.

"Coach Persson has dedicated a decade to the University of La Verne and has influenced the lives of many student-athletes. He took on the challenge of coaching two different sports and was successful. We thank him for his dedication to La Verne and all those he served. We will miss him and wish him well in all his future endeavors," said Panatier.

Persson took charge of the men's soccer program in 2014 and opened his tenure with three straight double-digit win seasons. In 2016 Persson and his staff earned SCIAC Coaching Staff of the Year honors after leading the Leopards to a 14-5-1 overall record, an 11-4-1 mark in conference play, and a second-place finish in the regular season.

With Persson at the helm, twenty-two players earned All-SCIAC honors, including eight first-team selections. In 2016, he tutored Saul Uribe to SCIAC Athlete of the Year honors.

I wouldn't be surprised if Mike Ditta was a candidate for the job.  He was interim head coach at Pomona-Pitzer for a year and a half while Bill Swartz was on medical leave and left to become Associate Head Coach at LaVerne last season.

[Gray Fox]

"I wouldn't be surprised if Mike Ditta was a candidate for the job.  He was interim head coach at Pomona-Pitzer for a year and a half while Bill Swartz was on medical leave and left to become Associate Head Coach at LaVerne last season. "

The ULV head FB coach just took a job as an assistant at San Diego JC.

[Kuiper]

"I wouldn't be surprised if Mike Ditta was a candidate for the job.  He was interim head coach at Pomona-Pitzer for a year and a half while Bill Swartz was on medical leave and left to become Associate Head Coach at LaVerne last season. "

The ULV head FB coach just took a job as an assistant at San Diego JC.

I saw that after I posted about the soccer job.  Do you think the departures are both related to something going on in the Athletic Department at La Verne?

[Gray Fox]

"I wouldn't be surprised if Mike Ditta was a candidate for the job.  He was interim head coach at Pomona-Pitzer for a year and a half while Bill Swartz was on medical leave and left to become Associate Head Coach at LaVerne last season. "

The ULV head FB coach just took a job as an assistant at San Diego JC.

I saw that after I posted about the soccer job.  Do you think the departures are both related to something going on in the Athletic Department at La Verne?

That is why I posted this, but I don't know what it would be.

[Kuiper]

As I mentioned at the end of last season, Bill Swartz retired after 38 years as head coach of Men's Soccer at Pomona-Pitzer.  One unique aspect of some of the long-time head coaches of sports in DIII is that they occupied tenure-track positions in the faculty by virtue of being part of the Physical Education Department, which was considered one of the pillars of a liberal arts education.  It's not a huge benefit, since it means you have to teach PE classes and do administrative work in the department, but pay is often a little better and, once you earn tenure, it does give you some security that even if you were fired as coach because of a string of bad seasons, you could still keep your job as PE faculty. Jay Martin of Ohio Wesleyan, for example, was fully tenured.  Swartz was also tenured, which likely contributed to his long coaching stint at the same school.

In many cases, the schools have removed head coaches from the tenure track when the former coaches retire because they don't view the PE dept as central (either because they have removed a PE requirement or they realize they can get coaches without it).  So, I was wondering if Pomona was going to advertise the position as tenure-track or remove that.  I just confirmed that it was advertised on the Pomona website among the open tenure-track faculty positions.  So, coaches interested in being real members of the faculty and the potential for real job security may want to consider this opening.  Not a bad salary either.

https://www.pomona.edu/administration/academic-dean/general/faculty-jobs

Pomona College: The Department of Physical Education is currently accepting applications for an Assistant Professor of Physical Education and Head Coach of Men's Soccer for the Pomona-Pitzer athletic program. At Pomona, physical education professors are full members of the faculty. In this capacity, they teach courses, advise students, and play an integral role in committee service and faculty governance.

Responsibilities include managing all aspects of Pomona-Pitzer's competitive NCAA Division III Men's Soccer program, teaching activity classes in the physical education program and managing administrative duties essential for the proper functioning of the Physical Education and Athletic programs. Faculty coaches are also responsible for contributing to a collaborative environment within the physical education department.

Total compensation includes a robust benefits package and a salary commensurate with rank and experience, ranging from $90,000-$100,000.

 

[CU_GKnight]

Appears as though Augusto Lima has left Clarkson for an assistant position at Holy Cross under former Union Coach Matt Brown. 
 
https://goholycross.com/news/2025/1/16/mens-soccer-holy-cross-names-augusto-lima-assistant-mens-soccer-coach.aspx