Mike McGinty Named Head Men's Soccer Coach at Saint Louis

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Mike McGinty has been named head coach of the Saint Louis University men’s soccer program, as announced Wednesday by SLU director of athletics Chris May. McGinty has spent the past 11 seasons as an assistant at Virginia, including the past two as associate head coach. During his tenure at UVa, he helped the Cavaliers to the 2009 NCAA Championship and three Atlantic Coast Conference crowns.

“I want to thank Craig Littlepage and George Gelnovatch for every opportunity to develop as a coach,” McGinty said. “I’d also like to give a special thanks to my fellow UVa coaches throughout the years and the current and former student-athletes. It has been my privilege and honor to be a soccer coach at the University of Virginia.”

“It’s an exciting time for Mike, and Saint Louis is a storied program,” UVa head coach George Gelnovatch said. “They have an excellent coach in Mike. He has been a big part of our success for more than 10 years – including an NCAA Championship, two College Cups and three ACC Championships. We will miss him for sure, but wish him the very best.”

McGinty, the sixth head coach in Billiken soccer history, began his stint at Virginia in 1999 under 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 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 cum 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.

“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.”

“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.”

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