Duke Assistant Mike Jacobs Returns to Evansville as Head Men's Soccer Coach

Evansville, Ind. - Duke University assistant soccer coach Mike Jacobs, an assistant at the University of Evansville in 2000 and 2001, has returned to Evansville to become the Purple Aces' head coach.

Jacobs will remain on the Duke staff through the remainder of the season. Duke is ranked fifth nationally in the latest men's Division I poll. The Blue Devils reached the NCAA College Cup?soccer's Final Four?last season. Jacobs was selected as the inaugural winner of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) National Assistant Coach of the Year award in 2004. He has been listed by College Soccer News as one of the 'Top Assistant Coaches in the Country' for the past three years.

"I loved my two years at Evansville, and I can't wait to get back and get started," Jacobs said. "Our pre-season starts in January, not next August. I told the players I met with that the only guys who will be here next season are the ones who want to compete. We'll see who wants to work hard and buy into the program."

"Mike brings a unique blend of qualities that I think will serve our program very well," said UE Director of Athletics Bill McGillis. "His experience at Duke, where he is credited with having made a significant contribution in their successful effort to rebuild their program to the point where it culminated in a trip to last year's Final Four, as well as his previous experience at UE, set him apart from other candidates.

"Mike brings an awareness of the challenges and opportunities that face our program. He understands the landscape on campus and in the community, and I believe that will enable him to hit the ground 'sprinting.'

Mike is regarded by his peers as an outstanding coach and one of the very best recruiters in the country. His passion and energy level is contagious, and I am confident he will do a great job in rebuilding our program."

Jacobs takes over for Dave Golan, who coached for three seasons following the retirement of legendary Fred Schmalz after the 2002 season. The Purple Aces were 2-14-1 this season. Their most recent winning season was 2003, when UE finished 9-7-3. Jacobs becomes the second head coach in the Missouri Valley Conference who was a Schmalz assistant at UE. Drake head coach Sean Holmes coached at UE from 1995-98.

Jacobs is a 1993 graduate of Pace University in Pleasantville, N.Y. He was head coach at Iona College in New Rochelle, N.Y. from 1996-99, and was the 1997 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. At age 24, he was the youngest Division I head coach in the country. Jacobs left Iona in January, 2000 to become Schmalz's top assistant coach at UE. He then joined John Rennie's staff at Duke in 2002 and helped rebuild the Blue Devils' program into one of the nation's elite.

Jacobs' professional coaching experience includes assisting with the Long Island Rough Riders, where he worked with former Tampa Bay Mutiny and New York/New Jersey head coach Alfonso Mondelo. He also assisted with the North Jersey Imperials of the USISL, where he coached current United States Under-17 National Team assistant coach Tim Mulqueen. Jacobs holds a USSF 'A' license and an NSCAA Advanced National Diploma. He has also been active in the Olympic Development Program and co-directed the Duke Soccer Camp in addition to his collegiate coaching.

Mike and his wife, Jennifer, have four children?Katherine (8), Daniel (4), Allison (2) and Amanda (1).

Story courtesy of Evansville Sports Information Office

Duke Assistant Mike Jacobs Returns to Evansville as Head Men's Soccer Coach

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