2/15/2005 - Men's Soccer
Miranda Named Navy Men's Soccer Coach
Rich Miranda was named Navy's fourth men's soccer coach in school history. |
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Naval Academy athletic director Chet Gladchuk has announced that Rich Miranda has been named Navy's head coach for the men's soccer program. Miranda replaces Dr. Greg Myers, who coached the Mids for 29 years, before stepping down after the 2004 season. Miranda assumes his duties and takes his place as the fourth head coach in the program's illustrious 85-year history.
"I am confident that under Rich Miranda's leadership, we will see a significant improvement, as quickly as next season, in the progress and competitiveness of our men's soccer program at the Academy," said Gladchuk. "Soccer is a lead program for us and our expectations for high levels of success are very realistic. We play in a strong league with an automatic NCAA qualifier, have a fantastic facility, alumni support, appropriate resources, talented returning midshipmen and a 14-year veteran coach who understands the Academy. The formula is in place and we are all anxious to benefit from the new influence and energy of Coach Miranda."
Miranda's most recent position was that of assistant men's soccer coach at Navy. Under the direction of Greg Myers, Miranda held that position for 14 years. He helped coach the Mids to a 113-106-24 record over that span, including the 1991 Patriot League regular-season title. During that timeframe, Navy advanced to six Patriot League Tournaments with two appearances in the finals. Since 1991, Navy has had 42 players earn All-Patriot League honors, including five players that won either Offensive or Defensive Player of the Year or Rookie of the Year.
Miranda earned his bachelor's degree in business management from William & Mary in 1985 and his master's degree in sports management from Richmond in 1990.
Miranda spent a year as an assistant soccer coach at William & Mary and two seasons as an assistant at Richmond during the 1986 and 1987 seasons. He has been an active participant in the Olympic Development Program for youth soccer in the local area since 1989.
During his collegiate career at William & Mary, Miranda was a four-year letterwinner for the Tribe. He earned first team All-Colonial Athletic Association honors and first team All-South Region honors, as well as the Tribe's Rookie of the Year during his freshman campaign. Miranda also competed on the international level, including England's Tottenham Hotspurs, Canada's Under-18 National Team and the Toronto Blizzard Reserves from the North American Soccer League (NASL).
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Greg Myers for his faith in me as an assistant over the past 14 years," said Miranda. "I learned a great deal about the game from a legend of the game itself. I would also like to thank Mr. Gladchuk and the Naval Academy Athletic Association (NAAA) for the faith they have placed in me to create an exciting and successful soccer program for all of us here at the Academy. It is a distinguished honor to represent such a respected institute of higher learning as the men's head soccer coach. I look forward to aligning the goals of the soccer program with the goals of the NAAA which will, in turn, create the winning tradition that Navy has enjoyed during its history of athletic competition. Go Navy!"
# GO NAVY #
