Nationally-renowned recruiter Ken Masuhr hired as new Miami Hurricanes head coach

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami Athletics has hired Ken Masuhr as its new head soccer coach, Vice President/Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich announced. Masuhr’s hire is pending completion of a standard University background check.

Masuhr (pronounced Muh-suhr) comes to Coral Gables after spending nine seasons at Vanderbilt, the past six as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator.

“We are excited to welcome Ken to the University of Miami family,” Radakovich said. “Ken is a relentless recruiter and tactician who has a clear vision for how to build all aspects of a successful soccer program.”

During Masuhr’s tenure in Nashville on head coach Darren Ambrose’s staff, the Commodores captured five NCAA Tournament berths as well as an SEC regular season crown in 2018, an SEC East Division title in 2019 and an SEC Tournament championship in 2020. Vanderbilt defeated 16 ranked teams over that stretch after registering just eight wins over ranked teams in program history prior to Ambrose and Masuhr’s arrival in 2015.

.@KenMasuhr_Jr is ready to get to work ‼️

Go Canes ? pic.twitter.com/p39AuOsgR2

— Miami Hurricanes Soccer (@CanesFutbol) December 5, 2023

“I am honored to begin this next chapter of my coaching journey at the University of Miami,” Masuhr said. “The opportunity to contribute to the storied legacy of the Hurricanes is both thrilling and inspiring. I look forward to working with the exceptional athletes and dedicated staff that make up this esteemed program.

“I would like to thank Dan Radakovich and the search committee for making this process feel so seamless and I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to Vanderbilt University, Darren Ambrose, and Candice Lee for the incredible journey we shared. The memories and growth achieved during my time at Vanderbilt will forever be cherished. Leaving is bittersweet, but my family and I are excited about the new challenges and opportunities that lie ahead at the University of Miami.

“I am grateful for the trust placed in me and am eager to bring my passion for coaching to the Hurricanes. Go Canes!”

Masuhr focused on the Commodores’ defensive unit and developed some of the stingiest back lines in the SEC while also tutoring players like Myra Konte, who became the first Vanderbilt player selected in the NWSL Draft in January 2021 when she was picked 30th overall by the North Carolina Courage. Masuhr helped the Commodores recruit an All-SEC Freshman honoree in each of his seasons in Nashville.

In 2022, Masuhr helped Vanderbilt earn its fifth NCAA Tournament bid in six seasons and defeat Clemson in the first round. Vanderbilt’s 2020 SEC Tournament title was the first tournament title for the program since 1994, and its 14 goals during the tournament set a conference record. Masuhr and the Commodores rose to No. 4 in the nation — their highest ranking in program history — and earned their first-ever NCAA Tournament seed at No. 16.

While winning the SEC East in 2019, Masuhr’s stout defense only allowed 13 goals all season – good for the second-best mark in program history. Vanderbilt also posted 11 shutouts, making that the third-best mark in program history. In 2018, the Commodores reached the NCAA Tournament and hosted a postseason game for the first time since 2005. The 2017 campaign was a breakthrough season for Masuhr and the Commodores as VU made its first NCAA Tournament since the 2006 season and won the program’s first NCAA Tournament match since 1998, holding opponents to one goal or fewer in 17 of 22 games.

Prior to arriving in Nashville, Masuhr spent four seasons at Penn on Ambrose’s staff. The Quakers never allowed more than 19 goals over those four seasons, and the team led the nation in shutout percentage and set a program record by allowing just seven goals in 2011. In 2013, Penn recorded 12 shutouts, yielded just eight goals and went 12-1-4, setting a program record for fewest losses in a season.

Masuhr joined Penn from Monmouth, where he spent two seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator with the Hawks. In his first season, Monmouth won the Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament championship and advanced to the first round of NCAAs.

Masuhr graduated from Richard Stockton with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and he also holds a Master’s of Public Administration degree from Kean University. As a coach, Masuhr has an “A” license from the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) as well as the Premier Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

Masuhr and his wife Megan, the varsity girls soccer coach at the University School of Nashville, have two children, Landon and Miller.

For more on the hiring, including quotes from notable figures across the NCAA soccer landscape, click here.