Shapiro Hired as Men's Soccer Head Coach at Tufts
Courtesy Tufts Sports Information
MEDFORD, Mass. – Josh Shapiro, an assistant coach at Georgetown University for the past three seasons, has been hired as the new head coach of the Tufts University men's soccer program. The announcement was made today by Tufts Director of Athletics Bill Gehling.
Shapiro replaces Carl Junot, who was hired at Tufts in April, but then left to become the head coach at Harvard University.
"We feel extremely fortunate to be able to land a coach of Josh's caliber on such short notice," Gehling said. "He brings a great understanding of the NESCAC and has learned under some of the nation's best coaches. He is a terrific communicator, a tireless recruiter and a great team builder. He understands and embraces the role that sport plays at an institution such as Tufts. He will be a wonderful new leader for our soccer program, a great colleague within our department and a wonderful representative of Tufts."
Prior to coaching at Georgetown under Brian Wiese for the 2006-09 seasons, Shapiro served other NCAA Division I coaching stints at American University, George Mason University, and Lafayette College from 2003 through 2005. He was a member of the 2005 Patriot League Regular Season Champions at American, and part of the 2003 Patriot League Champions and NCAA Tournament participants at Lafayette.
At Georgetown, Shapiro collaborated with Coach Wiese on creating and executing all aspects of the team's training sessions and game day strategies. He managed the program's nationwide recruiting efforts, and directed the Georgetown Elite and Premier Residential soccer camps.
Shapiro is a native of Leonia, New Jersey. He is a 1997 graduate of Middlebury College, where he was a four-year starter and captain as a senior. He played on three NCAA Tournament teams, including two that advanced to the round of 16.
"I know the NESCAC is one of the top, if not the top, athletic and academic conferences in the country," Shapiro said. "Having played and coached at Middlebury, I was excited about coaching at a place that values academics and athletics at equally high levels. With Tufts' strong reputation, I feel very confident that Tufts Soccer can become a highly competitive program at the national level."
The Tufts program has compiled winning records in 15 of the previous 20 seasons. From 1994-2002, the team posted an outstanding 91-41-12 record (.674) and played in two NCAA Tournaments. As part of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), the Tufts program plays in the nation's most competitive small college conference academically and athletically. The Jumbos play at a post-season pace week after week against conference competition. Shapiro will look to put his own mark on the historically competitive program.
"I see myself as a coach that likes to work within the framework of a system, but focuses on the development of each individual player as well," Shapiro said. "I am dedicated to open communication and look forward to helping the Tufts soccer players grow as individuals on and off the field. I want to introduce an exciting brand of soccer that emphasizes teamwork, dedication and passion. I'm looking forward to creating an environment where our players look forward to training and the process of improving every day."
The 2010 Tufts men's soccer season opens at home on Saturday, September 11 with a NESCAC game against Middlebury College.
