Worcester State University Athletics Names Gerard Miniaci Men's Soccer Head Coach

WORCESTER, MA. — Worcester State University Athletics and Athletic Director Michael Mudd are excited to announce the appointment of Gerard Miniaci as the new head coach of the Men's Soccer program. 

Miniaci arrives back in Worcester with over a decade of collegiate coaching experience, having built a career that spans the NCAA and country.

"I had several great candidates apply for the position. I feel that Gerard checked all the boxes for what I was looking for in our next Head Men's Soccer Coach" states Mudd.  "He comes highly recommended from people I trust in the industry and I have no doubt his personality and experience will resonate well with our student-athletes."

Miniaci comes to Worcester State after a brief stint at MIT where he has been serving, after this last season, as the interim head coach. Prior to his time in Boston he served two seasons as an assistant coach, across the city, at DI College of the Holy Cross, where he was heavily involved in all facets of the program, including skill instruction, game preparation, and recruiting. Prior to Holy Cross, he spent the 2022 season as an assistant at James Madison University, helping the Dukes to an 8-8-4 overall record and a run to the Sun Belt Conference Tournament championship game.

"I want to thank Athletic Director, Michael Mudd, for trusting in me and providing me the opportunity to become the next Head Men's Soccer Coach here at Worcester State. I am elated about the future and cannot wait to get to work with everyone on campus. The vision the university and athletic department aligns well with my beliefs and values not only as a soccer coach, but in life" says Miniaci. "It is without a doubt the correct decision to take over such a special place. I want to send a  huge thank you to my support system. My wife, family, mentors/friends; for always believing in me and showing constant support through my career. To the young men I get the opportunity to lead moving forward, thank you and let's get to work!" 

Before his time at James Madison, Miniaci spent three seasons at Virginia Military Institute, serving as an assistant coach in 2020 and 2021 before stepping in as interim head coach in the spring of 2022. He also has further head coaching experience at the collegiate level, serving as interim head coach at New England College during the 2019 season, where he guided the Pilgrims to a second-place finish in the New England Collegiate Conference. His collegiate coaching career began as an assistant at New England College in 2018 after serving as head coach at Broadway High School in Virginia from 2015 to 2016.

A native of Sterling, VA., Miniaci earned his Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science from Bridgewater College in 2013 and his Master of Business Administration in Sports and Recreation Management from New England College in 2020. A three-year member on the men's soccer team at Bridgewater College, he also holds a United States Soccer Federation E coaching license.