St. Bonaventure University hires Mick Giordano to lead men’s soccer program

BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – St. Bonaventure University Vice President and Director of Athletics Bob Beretta has announced the hiring of Mick Giordano as the eighth head coach in the history of the Bonnies men’s soccer program.

“Mick Giordano is the perfect fit to lead the St. Bonaventure men’s soccer program into the next chapter of our success,” said St. Bonaventure Vice President and Director of Athletics Bob Beretta. “Our committee conducted an extensive national search and considered a talented pool of candidates from which Mick clearly emerged.”

Giordano comes to St. Bonaventure after spending the last five seasons at the helm of the UNC Asheville men’s soccer program where he led the Bulldogs to back-to-back winning seasons and Big South Tournament berths for the first time in the school’s Division I era.

“My family and I are elated to join the Bona family,” Giordano said. “I am incredibly excited to begin this new journey with our student-athletes, support staff and alumni as we strive to be the best version of ourselves daily. It was evident from day one how special a place St. Bonaventure is due to the incredible faculty, staff and students. As well, the excitement for St. Bonaventure Men’s Soccer is invigorating. I am extremely grateful to President Dr. Jeff Gingerich, Athletic Director Bob Beretta, Steve Mest and Matt Pappano for granting me and my family this opportunity to join them on their path to excellence. Go Bonnies!”

He guided the Bulldogs to a 10-5-3 record in 2023, advancing to the Big South Tournament final for the first time in program history and oversaw the fifth biggest win differential in Division I from 2022 to 2023. His team produced the most points in the school’s Division I era with 33 goals and 39 assists.

Giordano led UNC Asheville back to the Big South Tournament in 2024, posting a 7-4-4 record. The 2024 season saw new program records for goals against in the regular season (11) and clean sheets (6) while having to play every conference game on the road due to the effects of Hurricane Helene.

In the classroom, Giordano’s teams posted a cumulative GPA of 3.1 or higher in each semester with the program receiving the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award every year from 2020 to 2024.

Overall, Giordano’s teams have produced 15 Big South All-Conference accolades, five Big South All-Rookie Team honors, two Big South Goalkeeper of the Year awards and a United Soccer Coaches All-Region honor.

Academically, his teams have garnered 12 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District accolades, five Big South All-Academic honors and three CSC Academic All-Americans, including UNC Asheville’s first-ever back-to-back All-America honors.

A 2013 graduate of UNC Asheville, Giordano returned to the Bulldogs to begin his collegiate coaching career in 2015 as an assistant coach, helping the squad to seven wins and a Big South Tournament berth.

Giordano was named the interim head coach of the Bulldogs in February 2020 after spending the two years prior as an assistant coach, becoming the youngest acting head coach at the Division I ranks.

In between stints with the Bulldogs, Giordano spent the 2016 season as an assistant coach at Wake Forest before joining the staff at Wofford as an assistant in 2017.

As a player for the Bulldogs, Giordano was a two-year starter in the midfield, starting seven matches as a junior and 17 as a senior. He finished third in minutes and recorded two assists in his final campaign.

At the club level, Giordano has spent time as a coach with Asheville City Soccer Club, NC Fusion and Highland FC.

“Mick is a rising star in men’s soccer coaching circles,” Beretta said. “His tactical knowledge, intense passion for his craft, and philosophy of fostering personal growth align with the traits we desire of our head coaches at St. Bonaventure. We are thrilled to welcome Mick and his wife, Analee, to the Enchanted Mountains and our Bona family.”

Giordano has completed his USSF C License, his UEFA C License and his United Soccer Coaches Master Coach Diploma.