Lopers Tab Munch as First Soccer Coach

Lopers Tab Munch as First Soccer Coach
Built Two Division II Programs into Winners

by Peter Yazvac, Nebraska-Kearney SID

Kearney, Neb. - Nebraska-Kearney Athletic Director Jon McBride announced today that Mike Munch has been selected as the Lopers first-ever women's soccer head coach.

A native of Texas, Munch will be introduced to the community at the Loper Luncheon on Thursday, January 15th.

"Mike's extensive head coaching experience, especially at the NCAA Division II level, will be a real plus for us as we start our program," said McBride.  "He has played integral roles in building two successful soccer programs and has worked closely with local soccer communities in growing appreciation for the sport.  This is an exciting announcement in the development of UNK women's soccer."

Munch has previously been a head coach at Texas A & M University-Commerce (Commerce, Texas) and the University of North Florida (Jacksonville). He started the program at Commerce while he took over the UNF program in its third year of existence.

At Commerce, he went 27-20-3 from 1995-97, coaching nine all-conference and three all-region players. In addition, 19 Lions' earned Academic All-Lone Star Conference honors.

Munch then moved on to North Florida, a school that moved from NCAA Division II into NCAA Division I in 2005.  

From 1998-06, Munch helped the Osprey become a Division II national power house, posting a 116-52-11 mark and making four NCAA Tournament appearances.  Also winning three Peach Belt Conference titles, North Florida advanced to the Elite Eight three times in the Munch era and was a staple of the national rankings, reaching as high as No. 2 during the 2000 season.

While in Jacksonville, Munch coached five All-Americans, 23 all-region players and saw 30 players chosen All-Peach Belt Conference. Additionally, over 100 Osprey earned academic all-conference accolades.

For his work at UNF, Munch was tabbed as the 2000 NSCAA Division II National Coach of the Year and was selected the 2006 Amateur Soccer Coach of the Year by the Jacksonville Times-Union.

In 12 seasons as a head coach, Munch has a career mark of 143-72-14 (65.5 win percentage), putting him 30th on the Division II all-time time wins list (prior to the 2008 season).

"I would like to thank Jon McBride and Chancellor Kristensen for the opportunity and honor of leading the new women's soccer program at the University of Nebraska at Kearney," said Munch.  "I'm looking forward to becoming part of the Loper family and Kearney community.  It is my hope to build a women's soccer program that will reflect the class, tradition and success of UNK athletics.  I'm very excited and eager to get started."  

Since August 2008, Munch has served as an assistant coach at Texas A & M-Commerce. Holding graduate and undergraduate degrees from Commerce, Munch was a member of the University of Texas club soccer team and was a place kicker on the East Texas State (now known as Texas A & M-Commerce) football team.

Finally, he has coached at numerous soccer camps, clinics and been involved with soccer clubs in Texas and Florida.

UNK's first-ever women's soccer game will be held at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field on Thursday, August 27th. Beginning at 6:00 p.m., the Lopers will face Wayne State.