Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
MSOC | Cooper Signs Multi-Year Extension
11/27/2018 3:40:00 PM | Men's Soccer
MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary's Director of Athletics and Recreation Mike Matoso has announced the signing of head men's soccer coach Adam Cooper to a five-year contract extension, following numerous years of success leading the program, including a record-breaking season in 2018.
This past season, Cooper led the only undefeated team in Division I soccer to a ranking of No. 4 nationally, including a first-round NCAA Tournament bye, a No. 8-seed in the tournament and a round of 16 appearance.
"We are excited to sign Adam Cooper to a new five-year contract. Our men's soccer program has had consistent success under Coop's leadership and this year obviously was an exceptional one," Matoso said. "Additionally, his teams perform exceptionally well both in the classroom and in the community - overall he just runs a first-class program and we are looking forward to the future of the program under his direction."
Cooper led the Gaels to their second West Coast Conference title in the past eight seasons in 2018 and he was named the WCC Coach of the Year for the third time in his career.
"Thank you to President Jim Donahue and Mike Matoso for the opportunity to continue to lead the Saint Mary's College Men's Soccer program. It is an absolute privilege and honor to serve as the head coach at Saint Mary's," Cooper said. "I am grateful for this experience, the support from our student body and administration, and the great support from our soccer community. We will continue to represent Saint Mary's College with the utmost integrity on and off the pitch, as well as continue to compete for WCC and NCAA Championships."
Over the past 10 years, the Gaels have won more conference matches than any other team in the WCC. SMC has totaled 52 wins against conference opponents which is more than San Diego (50), Loyola Marymount (47), Santa Clara (45) and the remaining four teams.
The Gaels are also tied for first in the conference in NCAA Tournament appearances with three since 2009. The Gaels' skipper became the program's winningest manager in 2016 and broke the 100-win plateau after the team's 6-0 season opening win against Incarnate Word this year.
This past season, Cooper led the only undefeated team in Division I soccer to a ranking of No. 4 nationally, including a first-round NCAA Tournament bye, a No. 8-seed in the tournament and a round of 16 appearance.
"We are excited to sign Adam Cooper to a new five-year contract. Our men's soccer program has had consistent success under Coop's leadership and this year obviously was an exceptional one," Matoso said. "Additionally, his teams perform exceptionally well both in the classroom and in the community - overall he just runs a first-class program and we are looking forward to the future of the program under his direction."
Cooper led the Gaels to their second West Coast Conference title in the past eight seasons in 2018 and he was named the WCC Coach of the Year for the third time in his career.
"Thank you to President Jim Donahue and Mike Matoso for the opportunity to continue to lead the Saint Mary's College Men's Soccer program. It is an absolute privilege and honor to serve as the head coach at Saint Mary's," Cooper said. "I am grateful for this experience, the support from our student body and administration, and the great support from our soccer community. We will continue to represent Saint Mary's College with the utmost integrity on and off the pitch, as well as continue to compete for WCC and NCAA Championships."
Over the past 10 years, the Gaels have won more conference matches than any other team in the WCC. SMC has totaled 52 wins against conference opponents which is more than San Diego (50), Loyola Marymount (47), Santa Clara (45) and the remaining four teams.
The Gaels are also tied for first in the conference in NCAA Tournament appearances with three since 2009. The Gaels' skipper became the program's winningest manager in 2016 and broke the 100-win plateau after the team's 6-0 season opening win against Incarnate Word this year.
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