Longtime University of Detroit Mercy soccer coach resigns

DETROIT (Via University of Detroit Mercy) – After 26 years, the University of Detroit Mercy women’s soccer team will have a new voice on the sidelines as head coach Mike Lupenec has decided to resign from his position today.

“It has been a tremendous 26 years and an honor to start and lead the Detroit Mercy women’s soccer program,” said coach Lupenec. “I have had the opportunity and privilege to coach so many wonderful young ladies who were great student-athletes and are now role models in life. It was a great time and we accomplished so many things as a program and I am so honored to be a part of it all.”

“I would also like to thank all of the athletic directors at Detroit Mercy – Brad Kinsman, Keri Gaither and Robert Vowels – all my colleagues at the University that I have worked with over the years and also my family, who have always supported me to pursue my passion and my love.”

“We appreciate and thank coach Lupenec for his time and dedication to this University,” said Director of Athletic Robert C. Vowels, Jr. “He built a championship program from the ground up and we wish him well in his future plans.”

The only head coach in the history of the Titan women’s soccer program, Lupenec compiled a 234-227-41 overall record and a 93-71-17 mark in conference games.

Under Lupenec, the Titans reached the Horizon League championship game five times, winning it all in 2004 when the red, white and blue defeated Youngstown State, Green Bay and Milwaukee – and giving up just one goal in the process – to win the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. There, Detroit Mercy scored a stunning 3-2 victory over Michigan in the first round and that win remains the only NCAA Tournament victory by a Titan program other than men’s basketball. His team finished that year with 14 victories, just one shy of the school record set in 1995 and 1996.

Assistant coach Jamie Huff has been named the interim head coach and a national search for a permanent head coach will begin immediately.