Junot Named as Head Coach of Tufts Men's Soccer

Courtesy Tufts Sports Information

MEDFORD, Mass. – Carl Junot, the assistant coach at Harvard University for the past two seasons, has been hired as the eighth head coach of the Tufts University men's soccer program. The announcement was made on Friday by Tufts Director of Athletics Bill Gehling.

Junot, 30, replaces Ralph Ferrigno, the all-time leader in coaching victories at Tufts during a successful 20-year tenure.

"Carl Junot emerged from a very strong applicant pool as the ideal person to lead our soccer program into the future," Gehling said. "We look for coaches who balance a desire for competitive success with an appreciation for the educational value of sport. Carl brings an outstanding soccer background, a proven ability to communicate effectively with student-athletes and a desire to fully integrate his team into to the greater mission of the University. We are very excited to have him join our community."

"We are grateful to Ralph for the 20 years of service he provided to this University," Gehling continued. "Along with the many successful teams he coached, he also did a great job reengaging the alumni of the Tufts Soccer program. We all wish Ralph the best in his future endeavors."

Prior to coaching at Harvard for the 2008 and 2009 seasons, Junot coached for seven years at the University of New Mexico. He was an assistant coach for the Lobos from August 2001 through December 2005, and then was promoted to associate head coach and held that position from January 2006 to April 2008.

In nine seasons as a Division I collegiate soccer coach, Junot was a part of six conference championship teams. Seven of those squads qualified for the NCAA College Cup, including the 2005 New Mexico side that was a national finalist. The 2004 and 2005 New Mexico teams earned #1 national rankings during the season. Last fall, he was a member of the Ivy League championship team at Harvard.

At Harvard, he was responsible for all aspects of team development under head coach Jamie Clark. His primary duties were recruiting, video analysis, and off-season player development. Junot worked with two-time Herman/MAC Trophy (National Player of the Year) finalist Andre Akpan. He's also coached five conference players of the year and 11 players drafted into MLS professional soccer during his career. College Soccer News named him as a Top Assistant Coaches honoree in 2008.

As a player, Junot was a member of three Southern Conference championship teams at Furman University. A 2001 graduate, he was a team captain and an All-Region selection as a senior in 2001. Junot earned a Master of Science Degree in Physical Education at New Mexico in 2007.

"From a coaching standpoint, I was initially attracted to Tufts because of its prestigious reputation as a competitive academic institution, the overall success of the athletics department, the fantastic athletic facilities, and a beautiful urban campus," Junot said. "In general I saw a lot of potential to run a first-class college soccer program.

"During my interview, my impression of Tufts was further enhanced," he continued. "I was completely impressed with athletics director Bill Gehling and the hiring committee he assembled. During the interview I was able to meet a few of the players on the team and my impression of them convinced me that Tufts Men's Soccer was a program I want to be a part of."

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 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. Junot will look to put his own mark on the historically competitive program.

"On the field I believe I'm a practical coach with ambition to play an effective-exciting style of soccer," Junot said. "This approach is rooted in hard work, a simple and organized defensive philosophy, and a realization that our team must learn to play to our offensive strengths. Every player on our squad will learn to embrace the role they have in making our program among the very best in the country."

The new coach looks forward to making a strong impression on the team off the field, as well.

"I believe in running a classy program in which student-athletes first and foremost enjoy the privilege of being a part of a college soccer program," he said. "I would like for our players to see me as an educator in many areas of their lives; academically, athletically, and socially. This means that we will oblige ourselves to being positive representatives of the Tufts undergraduate community. We will strive to be excellent students, excellent athletes and contributing members of the community we live in. My first goal with this team will be to shape a team identity that reflects these values."

The 2010 Tufts men's soccer season opens at home on Saturday, September 11 with a NESCAC game against Middlebury College.

"My wife Bridgid and I see Tufts as a great University to work for as we raise our family - a quality which cannot be overlooked," Junot said. "We're very thankful for this opportunity to become a part of the Tufts community."