Guest BillikenReport Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 Mike McGinty Named SLU Men’s Soccer Coach FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 10, 2010 ST. LOUIS – Mike McGinty has been named head coach of the Saint Louis University men’s soccer program, as announced today by SLU director of athletics Chris May. McGinty has spent the past 11 seasons as an assistant at the University of Virginia, including the past two as associate head coach. During his tenure at UVA, he helped the Cavaliers to the 2009 NCAA Championship and four Atlantic Coast Conference crowns. “Mike McGinty brings a winner’s pedigree from the University of Virginia, where as associate head coach he helped lead the Cavaliers to the 2009 NCAA championship,” May said. “Mike understands and embodies the goals of educating young men, competing for championships and building community. We fully believe in his ability to move our program forward so that the Billikens not only continue winning Atlantic 10 Conference championships, but also compete for national championships. “Mike is plugged into the national recruiting scene and has a plan to bring talent into this program that will allow the Billikens to compete at the highest level,” May continued. “His personality, work ethic, enthusiasm and attention to detail are impressive. He connects with young people and believes in developing young men academically and athletically in the Jesuit tradition. “We are thrilled to welcome Mike and his family to the Saint Louis University community,” May said. “I would like to thank Father Biondi, the University community, the review committee and the St. Louis soccer community for their support during this search. All are passionate about Billiken soccer, and there is no doubt in my mind that Mike will carry on that commitment.” “I am honored to be given the opportunity to become a part of the Saint Louis University community,” McGinty said. “The only way I would leave a position as associate head coach of the national champions is to go somewhere and have an opportunity to compete for a national championship as a head coach. Saint Louis has the pieces in place to compete on a national level. I am so looking forward to getting to know my student-athletes and to move ahead with the spring season. “One of the things that drove me to this position is the passion for SLU soccer throughout the St. Louis community,” McGinty continued. “Having coached at Virginia and played and coached at Wake Forest, I have a good understanding of how important a winning culture and tradition can be. I’m excited to step into a program that has high expectations, and I am eager to add an 11th national title to SLU’s championship tradition, which also includes so many fantastic players. “I would like to thank the University, particularly Father Biondi and Chris May,” McGinty said. “I enjoyed my time at Virginia and can’t express enough my appreciation to athletic director Craig Littlepage and my coach and mentor, George Gelnovatch.” McGinty, the sixth head coach in Billiken soccer history, began his stint at Virginia in 1999 under head coach George Gelnovatch. A chief recruiter for the Cavaliers, McGinty helped the team reach the NCAA Tournament every year. The Cavs claimed ACC championships in 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2009. In 2006, McGinty was an assistant coach when Virginia participated in the NCAA Men’s College Cup at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis. This past season, McGinty’s second as associate head coach, Virginia rolled to a 19-3-3 record and entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 2 seed. The Cavaliers advanced to the College Cup and knocked off previously unbeaten Akron to claim their first NCAA title since 1994. Prior to his stint in Charlottesville, McGinty served as the goalkeeper director for the FC Richmond club team from 1997 to 1998. He also was the goalkeeper director for the Soccer Organization of Charlottesville at the onset of his tenure at Virginia. McGinty began his coaching career as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Wake Forest University, in 1995. He spent two seasons coaching the Demon Deacons, then was the goalkeeper coach with the Virginia Commonwealth University men’s and women’s soccer squads for one season. McGinty also has experience as a goalkeeper staff coach with U.S. Soccer. He served as an assistant with the U17 National Team in 2001 and worked with the U18 National Team in 2002. This past season, he was assigned as a scout in Virginia by U.S. Soccer. An accomplished goalkeeper, McGinty played four seasons at Wake Forest beginning in 1991. An All-ACC selection in 1992, McGinty is among the WFU career leaders in saves and save percentage. Following his collegiate career, he enjoyed an eight-year professional career beginning with the Greensboro Dynamo (1995-96). McGinty then played five seasons (1997-2001) with the Richmond Kickers. He wrapped up his professional career with DC United in Major League Soccer in 2002 before entering full-time coaching status at Virginia. McGinty graduated ###### laude from Wake Forest in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He and his wife, Jasmin, have a son, Sean, and a daughter, Arin. McGinty’s official start date at SLU will be March 22. He will be introduced to the media in a formal press conference that week. The Mike McGinty File Collegiate Coaching History 2008-09 – Associate Head Coach, University of Virginia 1999-2007 – Assistant Coach, University of Virginia 1997 – Goalkeeper Coach, Virginia Commonwealth University (men’s and women’s soccer) 1995-96 – Assistant Coach, Wake Forest University Club Team Coaching History 1999-2001 – Goalkeeper Director for the Soccer Organization of Charlottesville 1997-98 – Goalkeeper Director for FC Richmond U.S. Soccer Coaching History 2002 – Staff Assistant Coach with the U18 National Team 2001 – Staff Assistant Coach with the U17 National Team Playing History 2002 – DC United 1997-2001 – Richmond Kickers 1995-96 – Greensboro Dynamo 1991-94 – Wake Forest University Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moytoy12 Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 What do i know...but this seems like a really nice hire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowboy Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 -did he get a contract? or did i miss that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slufanskip Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 What do i know...but this seems like a really nice hire.I don't know much about him either, but my first impression is the same as yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheeseman Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 -did he get a contract? or did i miss that? Why would care? - if he is happy what difference does it make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b.hayes Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 From Double D to MM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billikenfan05 Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 I'm a fan of this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bills10 Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 what does it take to graduate effing laude from Wake Forest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowboy Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 Why would care? - if he is happy what difference does it make. -goes to ADept, or U, commitment to the program Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianstl Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 what does it take to graduate effing laude from Wake Forest?Got to love the filter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeSmetBilliken Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 Hadn't heard of the guy before finding out that he was SLU's new coach, but did some quick research, plus did some reading of a few different soccer forums where SLU soccer is discussed. First of all, the guy was the associate head coach for the reigning national champion and a powerhouse in Virginia. If you look at the bracket for the NCAA tournament each year, the ACC dominates the top seeds between Virginia, North Carolina, Duke, and Maryland. I'd say that the ACC is probably the best conference in college soccer. I don't claim to know much about the inner workings of the athletic department other than what I read here, but the posters at the forums I checked (BigSoccer.com and STL Soccer.net) really seemed to think that under Donigan, the men's soccer program was a real Mickey Mouse operation. I know some people here weren't big fans of Donigan, but the people at the other two forums really didn't care for Donigan. The general consensus from the posts I read on Big Soccer and STL Soccer was that McGinty was going to know how to run a real D-1 soccer program successfully, because that's the way they did it at Virginia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billikan Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 Hadn't heard of the guy before finding out that he was SLU's new coach, but did some quick research, plus did some reading of a few different soccer forums where SLU soccer is discussed. First of all, the guy was the associate head coach for the reigning national champion and a powerhouse in Virginia. If you look at the bracket for the NCAA tournament each year, the ACC dominates the top seeds between Virginia, North Carolina, Duke, and Maryland. I'd say that the ACC is probably the best conference in college soccer. I don't claim to know much about the inner workings of the athletic department other than what I read here, but the posters at the forums I checked (BigSoccer.com and STL Soccer.net) really seemed to think that under Donigan, the men's soccer program was a real Mickey Mouse operation. I know some people here weren't big fans of Donigan, but the people at the other two forums really didn't care for Donigan. The general consensus from the posts I read on Big Soccer and STL Soccer was that McGinty was going to know how to run a real D-1 soccer program successfully, because that's the way they did it at Virginia. I heard about this possibility some time ago and I know the folks at SLU are high on this fellow. He has the reputation of being a good coach and a very good recruiter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeTimeBilliken Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 I heard about this possibility some time ago and I know the folks at SLU are high on this fellow. He has the reputation of being a good coach and a very good recruiter. Hopefully he will reverse the damage that Donigan has done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lifeofbrianconklin Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 great hire. With his Developmental pipeline, he should be able to keep Sorber (somewhat) in the fold...that is, if Sorbs wants to. I will be in South Africa in June traveling with a group from AT&T. I'll try to talk to him about the opening and if he was contacted. I will be staying with a delegate from the United States in Cape Town and will be traveling the day of the first round game on the 23rd to Pretoria when the Yanks battle Algeria. Hopefully I can reach out to him while there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moytoy12 Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 I will be in South Africa in June traveling with a group from AT&T...I will be staying with a delegate from the United States in Cape Town and will be traveling the day of the first round game on the 23rd to Pretoria when the Yanks battle Algeria. You lucky s.o.b. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lifeofbrianconklin Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 I actually just found out about a week ago. Will be reporting back from SA. AT&T is going to get an eye-opening even in South Africa when it comes to broadband speed. We are so far behind in the U.S., but that's for another thread and another message board all together...I also hope to see Ernie Els, my favorite golfer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slufan13 Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 anyone know if he got a contract? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dneuner Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 anyone know if he got a contract? Yes he did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slufan13 Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 Yes he did. Thanks, i assumed he did , but just wanted to see for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_davola Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 Thanks, i assumed he did , but just wanted to see for sure.Joe Radice...possible next star for SLU soccer. Mark it down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.