Saint Louis University formally introduced Mike McGinty as the sixth head coach of the men’s soccer team on Monday, a move the school hopes will lead to a record 11th NCAA championship. McGinty comes to SLU from the University of Virginia, where he won a national championship last season as associate head coach.
“I am passionate about what I do, I have a clear idea of what I want out of my players and I know what it will take to move the program forward,” McGinty said. “I am inheriting a team that just won an Atlantic 10 Conference championship, and the players should feel good about that. My job is to build upon that and help us move forward nationally.”
McGinty received a long-term contract from SLU, though the details of that contract were not released. McGinty’s predecessor, Dan Donigan, operated under a year-by-year contract, a policy that some felt held back the most successful program in the nation. SLU Director of Athletics Chris May noted that the soccer program “received support from the University that our soccer program hasn’t had before” from University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J. and the Board of Trustees.
McGinty immediately announced that he will retain assistant coach Tim Kelly, and will begin looking to add new members to his staff. Kelly had assumed the responsibilities of the head coach prior to McGinty’s hiring. The new Billikens coach indicated that he plans to make “particular and smart” staffing decisions, but that he is in no hurry to round out the staff. He also hopes to finalize the 2010 schedule within the next few weeks.
In his remarks before the media, May listed several qualities SLU was looking for in a coach, among them, the mission of the Jesuit University.
“How do we educate young men and women? How do we compete at the highest level and how do we build community around those [values]?” May asked. “Next, we were looking for someone who had championship experience … Finally, [we had to ask ourselves who] is passionate about teaching our players? Who is going to connect with our players and recruits?”
“It is clear that [McGinty] has a vision for what it is going to take to be successful. He is very passionate, very disciplined and has the sales acumen to recruit the best players to come here,” May said. “He understands the history and legacy of SLU soccer.”
McGinty inherited a team that has failed to meet the expectations of alumni and program supporters. Although the Billikens captured the A-10 championship and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, recent success has not matched what has historically been a storied program. He believes that all the pieces are in place for SLU to regain its national prominence.
“I spoke quite a bit with Coach Donigan before and he let me in on where he felt the team was, the unique aspects of the St. Louis community, where soccer is respected not just at the University but throughout the city, and I was convinced that this is a school that can win the national championship,” McGinty said.
One man that will help McGinty move toward that goal is junior forward Mike Roach. Roach, who was tabbed Most Outstanding Player of the A-10 Championship, said that he was immediately impressed with the discipline of his new coach.
“He commands your respect immediately, and I think he started off on a great note. The guys are really excited,” Roach said. “I think he will teach us some things we haven’t thought of before.”
“We had a lot of uncertainty. We weren’t sure of what was going on,” Roach said. “But now that he’s here, some nerves are settled, and now it’s time to get focused and look at how we’re going to play his style of game.”
