Ohio State University names Sergio Gonzalez as associate head coach

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Via Ohio State University) – Sergio Gonzalez, associate head coach of the Indiana University women’s soccer team, has been named associate head coach of the Ohio State men’s soccer team, head coach Brian Maisonneuve announced Tuesday. Gonzalez, who is also the U16 and U17 National Team women’s goalkeeper coach, comes to Ohio State with 18 years of coaching experience at all levels.

“Sergio is a great person and coach,” Maisonneuve said. “He has tremendous experience at all levels. He has the patience and understanding that great teachers have and I am so fortunate to have him on staff. Sergio specializes in goalkeeping but will help in all areas of coaching. Our guys are going to love learning from him.”

Gonzalez comes to Columbus having coached the Indiana University women’s soccer team for the past five years. He helped guide his teams to a second round appearance at the 2013 NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament and a semifinal and quarterfinal appearance in the 2013 and 2016 Big Ten Tournament, respectively.

“I am extremely honored and excited to have the opportunity to be part of such a tremendous university,” said Gonzalez. “I’m equally excited to have the chance to work with Brian Maisonneuve and the rest of the staff. Brian’s vision for the Ohio State University Men’s soccer program goes exactly with my thoughts and values. I look forward to being part of this new era of Ohio State Men’s Soccer and continue the tradition built by John Bluem. I’m thankful to Gene Smith, Shaun Richard, and Brian for this opportunity.”

In 2017, Gonzalez was promoted to associate head coach for the Hoosiers. While working primarily with the goalkeepers and defenders, he guided Indiana to the must shutouts in a season in 2013 and most saves in a season for a freshman in 2016 and 2017.

“I’d also like to thank Amy Berbary for her friendship and leadership over the past five years,” Gonzalez said. “I wish her, the Indiana administration, staff and players nothing but the best for the future.”

The New Jersey native served as the head coach of the women’s soccer team at the New Jersey Institute of Technology prior to his time at Indiana. Under Gonzalez’s direction, the program recorded its first NSCAA Team Academic Award in 2012 while also registering the highest RPI and most shutouts in program history that same year.

No stranger to the state of Ohio, Gonzalez was the assistant coach for the University of Dayton’s women’s soccer team from 2006-2011. Garnering a 71-21-15 record, the program went on to win two Atlantic-10 regular season and conference tournament championships and made two second round NCAA Tournament appearances. A number of his players received Player of the Year honors and All-American recognition.

Gonzalez spent six seasons as the Slippery Rock University Women’s soccer assistant coach, starting in 2000. The team won two conference tournament championships and made two NCAA Division II National Tournament appearances during that time.

Aside from the collegiate stage, Gonzalez coaches on the national level as well. For the US Soccer Federation, he currently acts as the U16 and U17 Women’s National Team goalkeeper coach. Since 2006, he has worked with the United States Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program and has served as the Region II head goalkeeper coach since 2013.

Before his coaching career, Gonzalez played soccer at Salve Regina University. He earned a four-year starting position and was a three-time captain. He still holds the record for most career saves (425), wins (32), and shutouts (22). He earned three all-conference honors and was Salve Regina’s Male Athlete of the Year in 1999-2000.

Gonzalez graduated in 2000 with a degree in criminal justice and went on to earn a master’s degree in student personnel while assistant coach at Slippery Rock. He also holds multiple NSCAA diplomas.

“My family and I are so excited to move to Columbus and become part of the Buckeye family,” said Gonzalez.

Gonzalez and his wife, Megan, have three children, Aiden, Liliana, and Nora.