Coaching Carousel

[Kuiper]

Leo Barbosa Promoted to Head Coach at St. Mary's University of Minnesota

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is pleased to announce the elevation of Leo Barbosa to the position of Head Men's Soccer Coach. After serving as the assistant coach for two years, Barbosa has demonstrated dedication and a deep commitment to the growth and success of the program.

"We are thrilled to elevate Leo to our head coaching position. His passion, attention to detail, and familiarity with our program, the region and conference will all serve our student-athletes and program well," said Athletic Director Brian Sisson. "He is relationship-focused, and his presence and accountability will greatly benefit our community. We look forward to the upcoming season and the stability Leo will bring."

During his tenure as assistant coach, Barbosa has been instrumental in the team's growth both on and off the field. Under his leadership, the team has made significant strides each season. Last year, they achieved their best start since 1983 with a 5-0 record. Barbosa also coached 18 Academic All-MIAC players, with three earning All-MIAC honors.

***

Originally from Brazil, Barbosa brings a wealth of experience to the head coaching role as he also serves as the Technical Director for Minnesota Rush, based out of Rochester, Minnesota, and served as the goalkeeping coach for Med City FC, helping them earn an NPSL North Conference Championship in 2022.  Additionally, he was the Director of Coaching for the Kasson-Mantorville Soccer Club from 2016-18, while also serving as the Head Coach of Kasson-Mantorville's High School Team.

[Kuiper]

Tyler Gallagher Named head Coach at Saint Vincent

Saint Vincent College is proud to announce the hiring of Tyler Gallagher as the new Head Coach of the Saint Vincent Men's Soccer Program.
 
Gallagher brings a wealth of experience and a proven record of success at the collegiate soccer level.
 
Gallagher most recently served as Assistant Men's Soccer Coach at Denison University, where he played a pivotal role in leading the Big Red to an NCAA Tournament Elite 8 appearance in 2024, back-to-back conference tournament appearances, and national rankings as high as No. 10. His contributions helped the program secure numerous accolades, including three All-American selections, two conference Players of the Year, and an impressive 26-6-9 record over two seasons.
 
Prior to his time at Denison, Gallagher was Director of Soccer and Head Coach at the Hoosac School in New York, where he operated a residential soccer academy and led the program to a GESP League Championship and a top 15 national ranking among U.S. prep schools. His leadership placed the school's first student-athletes into NCAA Division I programs.
 
Gallagher has also held assistant coaching roles at St. Lawrence University and SUNY Canton, consistently producing all-conference players, All-Americans, and contributing to multiple conference championships. He has a deep commitment to player development and academic excellence, with his teams regularly achieving high academic standards.
 
***
 
Gallagher holds a Master of Science in Sports Administration from Canisius College and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Sports Management from SUNY Canton. He also holds multiple coaching certifications from United Soccer Coaches and the U.S. Soccer Federation, including a USSF "D" License.

[Kuiper]

Not exactly a new coach announcement, but I thought people might appreciate to know that Mike Singleton, former head coach at W&L men's soccer and Goucher women's soccer, was elected to the Board of Directors of United Soccer Coaches and named Vice President of Education

[Kuiper]

Another big job opens up.

Perry Nizzi Retires after 26 years at Hamilton

https://athletics.hamilton.edu/news/2025/4/10/mens-soccer-nizzi-announces-retirement-after-26-seasons-as-head-mens-soccer-coach.aspx

Hamilton College Director of Athletics Jon Hind '80 has announced the retirement of long-time Head Men's Soccer Coach Perry Nizzi, effective on June 30, 2025.
 
Nizzi, who is also a physical education instructor at Hamilton, was hired in December 1997. The search for a new coach will begin immediately.
 
In 26 seasons with the Continentals Nizzi posted a record of 211-146-48, including a team-record 12 wins in 2001, and his teams reached double figures in wins eight times. He coached an all-American and 23 all-region team picks, and since 2011 had 16 all-New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) selections.
 
"Perry Nizzi has been an excellent ambassador for the men's soccer program, Hamilton College and the greater Mohawk Valley," Hind said. "He has done a remarkable job in directing our men's soccer program for more than two decades."
 
Nizzi has led Hamilton to plenty of team success with 17 trips to the postseason including five NCAA Division III championship appearances. The 2016 NESCAC Coach of the Year guided the Continentals to the conference championship final that same year. Nizzi led the team to Liberty League tournament titles in 2004 and 2007, and regular season crowns in 2000 and 2006. In 2000 Hamilton advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals and was ranked 16th in the final Division III coaches poll.
 
Nizzi's last year with the Continentals was one of his best as the team received an at-large bid to the NCAA championship, defeated Calvin University 3-2 in the first round and tied Kenyon College 2-2 in the second round before Kenyon advanced on penalty kicks. Hamilton's final overall record was 8-6-4.
 
"Perry Nizzi will leave an indelible mark on Hamilton Athletics and the countless student-athletes he has mentored," Hamilton Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator, Deidre Pierson said. "He is known for his unique coaching style and his true legacy lies in the positive impact he has had on the lives of his players. Coach Nizzi fostered a team environment that was both intensely focused and remarkably jovial. He possessed a rare ability to instill discipline and a strong work ethic while maintaining a lighthearted atmosphere that players cherished. He created a culture where student-athletes could thrive as players, students and as individuals."
 
In 17 years as the head coach at Herkimer College from 1981 to 1997, Nizzi's teams won 291 matches, giving him a total of 502 victories in 43 seasons at the two schools. He is a member of five halls of fame including Rome Sports Hall of Fame, Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame, NJCAA Soccer Hall of Fame, Herkimer College Athletic Hall of Fame and SUNY Cortland's C-Club Hall of Fame.

Hamilton's longtime AD announced he is retiring effective today.  Depending upon how far along they are in the search for Nizzi's replacement, that could effect the search or suggest they will go the interim route.  Maybe AC Brendan Ujvary will take over.

[Kuiper]

Gettysburg Elevates Dan Malone to Interim Head Coach of Men's Soccer

With the retirement of Gettysburg head men's soccer coach Mark Mettrick after 11 years, current assistant coach Dan Malone has been elevated to interim head men's soccer coach for the 2025 season.

Malone joined the Bullets staff prior to the 2024 season with eight years of experience coaching at the Division III level.

"The men's soccer program is in very capable hands with Dan the helm," Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus Recreation Mike Mattia said. "In his short time at Gettysburg, Dan quickly earned the respect from the team, as well as all of the staff and coaches in the athletic department. He is a tireless worker, excellent recruiter, and a very strong tactical coach. I look forward to the future of the soccer program under Dan's leadership."

Malone joined the Bullets staff as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator after spending the last three seasons as an assistant at Scranton. He helped guide the Royals to back-to-back winning seasons in 2022 and 2023. In 2022, he helped guide Scranton to an 11-7-2 mark and a Landmark Conference Championship. The Royals entered the tournament as the No. 4 seed and posted 1-0 shutout victories over Catholic and Elizabethtown.

"I want to thank Mike and Carey for the opportunity to take over the men's soccer program for the 2025 season," Malone said. "The chance to lead a program like Gettysburg is an incredible opportunity that I've been working towards my whole career. Coach Mettrick has been a great mentor and has me prepared to continue the work we've done to have a great 2025. Go Bullets!"

Prior to Scranton, he served as an assistant at St. Joseph's College of Maine with Monks men's soccer program from 2016-21. Malone, who joined the St. Joseph's coaching staff as a volunteer while still a student, helped the Monks turn into a consistent winner over the last five seasons.

St. Joseph's won three straight Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) championships in 2016, 2017, and 2018 to reach the NCAA Div. III tournament in each season. In all three seasons, the Monks won their first-round contest.

The banner campaign of Malone's time on the St. Joseph's staff came in 2018 when the Monks finished with a 21-1-0 ledger. The Monks entered the NCAA tournament unbeaten and untied and ranked in the Top 10 nationally. In four seasons of competition, Malone helped St. Joseph's post a 71-5-11 (.879) overall mark, along with an undefeated 37-0-4 (.951) ledger in GNAC regular-season contests.

Malone also was the head coach for St. Joseph's reserve team. Since moving to Gettysburg, Malone is the head coach of Keystone FC's 2009 MLS NEXT 2 Team.

[SierraFD3soccer]

Apparent lost opportunity for Singleton, but maybe not?

[laker4141]

Gettysburg Elevates Dan Malone to Interim Head Coach of Men's Soccer

With the retirement of Gettysburg head men's soccer coach Mark Mettrick after 11 years, current assistant coach Dan Malone has been elevated to interim head men's soccer coach for the 2025 season.

Malone joined the Bullets staff prior to the 2024 season with eight years of experience coaching at the Division III level.

"The men's soccer program is in very capable hands with Dan the helm," Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus Recreation Mike Mattia said. "In his short time at Gettysburg, Dan quickly earned the respect from the team, as well as all of the staff and coaches in the athletic department. He is a tireless worker, excellent recruiter, and a very strong tactical coach. I look forward to the future of the soccer program under Dan's leadership."

Malone joined the Bullets staff as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator after spending the last three seasons as an assistant at Scranton. He helped guide the Royals to back-to-back winning seasons in 2022 and 2023. In 2022, he helped guide Scranton to an 11-7-2 mark and a Landmark Conference Championship. The Royals entered the tournament as the No. 4 seed and posted 1-0 shutout victories over Catholic and Elizabethtown.

"I want to thank Mike and Carey for the opportunity to take over the men's soccer program for the 2025 season," Malone said. "The chance to lead a program like Gettysburg is an incredible opportunity that I've been working towards my whole career. Coach Mettrick has been a great mentor and has me prepared to continue the work we've done to have a great 2025. Go Bullets!"

Prior to Scranton, he served as an assistant at St. Joseph's College of Maine with Monks men's soccer program from 2016-21. Malone, who joined the St. Joseph's coaching staff as a volunteer while still a student, helped the Monks turn into a consistent winner over the last five seasons.

St. Joseph's won three straight Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) championships in 2016, 2017, and 2018 to reach the NCAA Div. III tournament in each season. In all three seasons, the Monks won their first-round contest.

The banner campaign of Malone's time on the St. Joseph's staff came in 2018 when the Monks finished with a 21-1-0 ledger. The Monks entered the NCAA tournament unbeaten and untied and ranked in the Top 10 nationally. In four seasons of competition, Malone helped St. Joseph's post a 71-5-11 (.879) overall mark, along with an undefeated 37-0-4 (.951) ledger in GNAC regular-season contests.

Malone also was the head coach for St. Joseph's reserve team. Since moving to Gettysburg, Malone is the head coach of Keystone FC's 2009 MLS NEXT 2 Team.

It's early May. Still time to find a suitable candidate. Yes, they are between AD's, but this seems a bit lazy. A program with Gettysburg's potential should not have an interim.

[Kuiper]

Yeshiva is advertising for a head men's soccer coach, so Zef Kabashi must have left after only one season.  With the salary Yeshiva is offering ($14,000-$16,000!), it must be particularly difficult to attract/retain head coaches there.

[SierraFD3soccer]

Yeshiva is advertising for a head men's soccer coach, so Zef Kabashi must have left after only one season.  With the salary Yeshiva is offering ($14,000-$16,000!), it must be particularly difficult to attract/retain head coaches there.

It's way, way up Manhattan. Also the cost of living doing a job that is non-stop for several months a year on top of trying to find a special player who is an Orthodox Jew or at the very least a Jew. Most players are from overseas as well.

[Kuiper]

Dan Cinelli moves from Hunter to Maritime

Dan Cinelli, who boasts more than 30 years of experience as a player and a coach, has been named head coach of the Maritime College men's soccer program.  He joins the Privateers after three years at Hunter College, where his team won the CUNY Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) championship and reached the NCAA Tournament in 2024.

In three seasons at Hunter, Cinelli had an overall record of 20-28-5, including an 11-8-2 mark in conference play.  In his first season at the helm, the Hawks reached the CUNYAC semifinals and earned their first-ever postseason win, defeating FDU-Florham in penalty kicks in the first round of the ECAC Tournament.  Cinelli was then named CUNYAC Coach of the Year in 2023 after leading Hunter to the CUNYAC regular season title.  The Hawks went 5-1-1 and outscored their opponents 27-6 in league play that season.  In 2024, Hunter entered the CUNYAC Tournament as the No. 6 seed, but won three consecutive road games to clinch its first conference championship since 2010.  The Hawks advanced to the NCAA Tournament with a 3-0 victory over top-seeded Lehman in the CUNYAC Championship Game.

Cinelli came to Hunter from Bronx Community College, where he led the Broncos to their first conference championship game appearance in 13 years in 2021.  Bronx also made it to the semifinals of the NJCAA Division III Region XV Tournament that season.

Prior to Bronx, Cinelli was a successful high school coach on Long Island.  He was the Nassau County Coach of the Year in 2019, when his New Hyde Park varsity team completed the first undefeated season in program history (10-0-4) and finished second in the conference.  In 2016, Cinelli took Holy Cross High School to the semifinals of the CHSAA state tournament after capturing its first Brooklyn/Queens title in 11 years.

He also boasts extensive international experience.  Cinelli represented Team USA at the 1998 FIFA Junior World Cup in France and was a member of the team that won the Madrid Cup in 2001.  He played for the BW Gottschee Academy, as well, helping that club earn a conference championship.

A 2007 graduate of Marist College (now University), Cinelli began his collegiate playing career at Fairleigh Dickinson University.  He was on the Knights' 2003 Northeast Conference (NEC) championship team that made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.  Cinelli later played semi-professionally for the Long Island Rough Riders before transitioning into coaching.

[Kuiper]

Jordan Sullivan Tabbed to Lead Keuka College Men's Soccer

The Keuka College Department of Athletics has announced that Jordan Sullivan will be the next Head Men's Soccer Coach for the Wolves.

Sullivan comes to Keuka College from Nazareth University, where he was an assistant coach for the Golden Flyers for the past three seasons.

"I'm incredibly honored to be named Head Men's Soccer Coach at Keuka College," said Sullivan. "I'm excited to lead a program that values growth, discipline, and team culture. My focus will be on developing well-rounded student-athletes and building a competitive identity that represents the college with pride."

At Nazareth, Sullivan led the developmental team as the JV Head Coach. He also assisted the varsity program with game plans and game strategies. Sullivan coached alongside Nazareth Head Coach Matt Tantalo, who previously coached 11 seasons at Keuka College, where he remains the winningest coach in program history.

Outside of Nazareth University, Sullivan has experience working with the Flower City Union (NISA), Rochester Lancers (UPSL), and Monroe Community College (NJCAA DI). With the Union, Sullivan served as head coach and guided the club to their first playoff appearance in club history and went on to win the NISA National Championship.

"Jordan brings the kind of energy and leadership that fuels progress," said Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Jon Accardi M'09. "He's focused on building a connected team, developing our student-athletes, and driving success for the men's soccer program moving forward."

Sullivan played collegiately at Roberts Wesleyan University and started his career at Monroe Community College. Prior to that, he played in his native United Kingdom for various semi-pro teams around London. In 2014, he completed his UEFA B license, becoming one of the youngest coaches in the UK to do so.

[Kuiper]

Van Holland Steps Down as Head Men's Soccer Coach at LeTourneau

LeTourneau head men's soccer coach Brady Van Holland announced his decision to step down from the position, as his family pursues other career opportunities.

"My wife and I have enjoyed our time here at LeTourneau," Van Holland said. "We will greatly miss being surrounded by people we call family now. I would like to thank Dr. Sceggel, President Mason, and everyone in the athletics department for welcoming us with open arms."

"Brady Van Holland has been an incredible gift to this institution," said LeTourneau Vice President for Athletics Dr. Tim Sceggel. "Not only has he made a huge impact on the pitch, but he played a significant role in the formation of our culture of cultivating disciples and pursuing excellence. His loss will be deeply felt in our department."

Van Holland spent three years as the head coach of the YellowJackets and led the program to 18 wins and two trips to the ASC Tournament championship round. He was the 2022 ASC Coach of the Year after leading the YellowJackets to a late season run, which included the program's first appearance in the conference championship match in 24 years.

Twice the YellowJackets made the ASC Tournament championship match as a low-seeded team under Van Holland. In 2022, LeTourneau was the No. 6 seed and advanced past No. 3 seed Hardin-Simmons and No. 2 seed Concordia Texas -- both in penalty shootouts -- to reach the title match. In 2024, the No. 4 seeded YellowJackets defeated Howard Payne and then took down No. 1 seed Mary Hardin-Baylor in PKs to advance to the title match.

Under Van Holland's tutelage, the YellowJackets had two ASC Goalkeeper of the Year awards (Raul Torrez in 2022 and 2023) and one ASC Offensive Freshman of the Year (Caleb Nelson, 2023). LeTourneau totaled 15 All-ASC selections, six ASC All-Tournament honors, and seven ASC weekly award winners.

Van Holland's 2022 team was voted as the ASC SAAC Team Sportsmanship Award recipient.

[Ron Boerger]

And almost immediately thereafter, TJ Milby named Head Men's Soccer Coach at LeTourneau (pretty quick "national search", I'd say)

After a nationwide search, TJ Milby has been named the Head Men's Soccer Coach at LeTourneau University, announced Vice President for Athletics Dr. Tim Sceggel.

Milby becomes the 13th head coach in program history.

"After a national search that was extremely competitive, TJ's name quickly rose to the top as an elite discipler and phenomenal soccer coach," said Sceggel. "His skill and ability on those fronts, in addition to his fit within our department, made him the clear choice for this role. I'm thrilled to see how the Lord will use TJ on our campus in the years ahead."

"I am beyond excited for the chance to take on the position at LeTourneau University and incredibly grateful to Dr. Sceggel and Dr. Mason for entrusting me with the opportunity," said Milby. "LeTourneau is an amazing fit for me because of the commitment of the athletics department and the institution to pursuing excellence and cultivating disciples. Those two pursuits resonate with me deeply and I am eager to join in with the work that has already begun at LeTourneau and be a part of the soccer program's continued growth."

Milby comes to LeTourneau after spending two seasons as the assistant men's soccer coach at NCAA Division II member Cedarville. Milby was responsible for numerous aspects of the Cedarville program, including serving as the reserve team coach. He also served as high school boys director of FC Dayton Soccer Club where he coached two teams to the state and regional levels.

Prior to being on staff at Cedarville, Milby was the head boys soccer coach at Greeneview High School in Jamestown, Ohio, and led the team to its first district final in over a decade. He posted a pair of winning seasons in the position.

Milby takes over a LeTourneau program that is transitioning to the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference in 2025. LeTourneau has made the conference tournament championship round in two of the last three seasons in the ASC.

"My aim is to see LeTourneau men's soccer grow into a regionally and nationally competitive program that sets the standard for faith integration," noted Milby. "I intend to build a culture that is centered on purpose, grit, and gratitude. By investing deeply in the young men in our program, myself and our coaching staff are committed to creating an experience that offers transformational growth and development personally and spiritually for each student-athlete who is a part of our program."

Milby was a four-year player at Cedarville and was a starter for three of those seasons as a defender. He started 40 of the 45 matches in which he appeared with two assists to his credit. He was a three-year G-MAC Academic Team honoree. The Yellow Jackets went 32-18-11 during Milby's career with the 2019 club advancing to the second round of the NCAA Division II Tournament.

"We are on the hunt for student-athletes who want to experience meaningful community that pushes them towards Jesus, place a high value on their education, are committed to persuing excellence by perfecting their craft, and have a desire to compete at a high level," added Milby. "Our brand of soccer is going to be disciplined, intense, organized, and explosive and in our recruiting process we will be searching for young men who are excited about who we are and hungry to contribute both on and off the field."

Milby graduated with his bachelor's in biblical studies from Cedarville in 2019. He received his M.Div from Cedarville in 2021. He holds a National "C" License from US Soccer.[/url]

[Kuiper]

Interesting hire for Colby.  Pretty far away from all of his soccer experience and his only head coaching experience wasn't exactly a big success, albeit of a program that hadn't won many games under any coach (his Bluffton teams went 2-16 in 2018 and 6-13 in 2019 - not sure where they get that he led them to their first winning season since that was in 2021 and his CC resume says he only coached them in 2018 and 2019).  Still, Colorado College certainly has been a major player in his three years as an assistant there.

Colby Hires Sean Elvert as Men's Soccer Head Coach

Colby College is excited to announce the selection of Sean Elvert, a multi-faceted and accomplished professional in the soccer industry with a history of success as a player, assistant coach, and head coach, as the new leader of its men's soccer program.  He becomes the fourth coach of the men's soccer program since 1975.
 
"I'm honored and grateful to lead this dynamic Colby team," said Elvert, "and I am thankful to Amanda DeMartino and the search committee for their trust and support. The last three years with Scott Palguta at a program as distinguished as Colorado College has prepared me well for the opportunity and I couldn't be more excited to help shape the future of Colby men's soccer."
 
Colby competes in the highly competitive New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), a conference that saw eight member institutions selected for the 2024 NCAA Division III tournament, with three advancing to the Final Four.
 
Elvert comes to Colby from Colorado College where he served as an assistant coach from 2022-2025.  He helped guide the Tigers to a 22-0-5 record in the SCAC conference over his three seasons with back-to-back NCAA Division III tournament appearances, advancing all the way to the Elite Eight in 2023.  Colorado College held a 13-game unbeaten streak in 2022 and in their most recent season maintained an NCAA top-10 ranking for the entirety all the way from preseason through the tournament.
 
Elvert also had a remarkably successful career as a leader in the net during his time as a student-athlete at Loras College, guiding the Duhawks to four conference championships and two trips to the NCAA Division III Final Four. Entering into the coaching realm, Elvert held assistant stints at Ohio Northern and Bluffton Universities before landing the head coaching role at Bluffton, guiding the Beavers to their first winning season in 30 years.
 
Elvert has also been active in the junior ranks, guiding Colorado's top youth players for Arsenal Colorado and Real Colorado in the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL).

[Ron Boerger]

Like you, I'm trying to figure out where he had "a history of success" as a head coach.  I know you are going to give a new HC props but the flowery language is over the top.  A good deal of CC's success came at altitude; CC suffered first game exits in the SCAC tournament at lower elevations each of his three years (including an 0-2 result as the #1 seed in the season recently completed) - not to mention it's the HC doing most of the heavy lifting that produces results.  In any case, he won't have thin air to back him up at Colby.