UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - Saginaw Valley State University Athletic Director Mike Watson has announced the hiring of Michael O'Neill as the school's Interim Head Coach of the women's soccer program. O'Neill began his new assignment in late February.
Michael has spent the past two seasons as the SVSU Men's Soccer Assistant Coach, where he has helped the program flourish. In 2013, the Cardinals qualified for the GLIAC Tournament, losing in the championship match in double-overtime to Ohio Dominican.
The 2012 SVSU men's soccer team enjoyed a historic trip to the NCAA DII National Championship game for the first time in school history. SVSU set school records for both wins in a season (18) and home victories (10) as they claimed their second straight GLIAC Championship and NCAA Tournament apperance. Seven Cardinals earned All-GLIAC honors, including Zach Myers who was named "Player of the Year." Four players also earned NSCAA All-Region honors; Lachlan Savage, Michael Lamb, Jason Wise and Zach Myers, while Myers and Wise also earned All-Academic honors as well from the NSCAA. Zach Myers and Jason Wise also became the first two players in program history to be named All-Americans, with Myers earning both Daktronics Inc. and NSCAA honors and Wise earning NSCAA honors. Myers would also be named a Capital One Academic All-American and the 2012 NSCAA National "Player of the Year."
"Michael has done an amazing job the past two seasons as our Assistant Men's Soccer Coach," stated Watson. "He has been a huge part of that program's success and has the knowledge and work ethic required to succeed as a head coach at the collegiate level. We have complete faith in Michael and look forward to him establishing and elevating the presence of SVSU women's soccer on the conference, regional and national stages."
"It is an honor and a privilege to be named the Interim Head Coach of the SVSU Women's Soccer team," said O'Neill. "I would like to thank Mike Watson and the rest of the administration for giving me this opportunity. I have been the assistant coach of the SVSU Men's Soccer team for the last two seasons. I have enjoyed this experience immensely and have learned a great deal about what SVSU stands for. I am proud to say that SVSU is a place where friends, peers and teammates are put first. Saginaw Valley is a thriving university and the atmosphere allows everyone to feel very much a part of this tight-knit cardinal family. Looking at the staff, the students and the environment here at SVSU, I know that the women's soccer program has the support and the resources that are imperative to our success. Ultimately, this opportunity will be challenging but I am looking forward to getting started and seeing what the future brings."
O'Neill graduated from Tiffin University in 2012 with a bachelors degree in Sport and Recreation Management, excelling academically as he was selected to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Academic All-American team. He excelled on the field as well, earning All-GLIAC honors three times.
O'Neill hails from Luton, England and joined SVSU after holding the title of Director of Coaching at Perrysburg Impact Soccer in Ohio.