Carl Junot Named Head Coach at Tufts

New Tufts men's soccer coach Carl Junot

Carl Junot, the assistant coach at Harvard University for the past two seasons, has been named head coach of the Tufts University men's soccer program. Junot replaces Ralph Ferrigno, the all-time leader in coaching victories at Tufts during a successful 20-year tenure.

"Carl Junot emerged from a very strong applicant pool as the ideal person to lead our soccer program into the future," said Tufts Director of Athletics Bill Gehling. "We look for coaches who balance a desire for competitive success with an appreciation for the educational value of sport. Carl brings an outstanding soccer background, a proven ability to communicate effectively with student-athletes and a desire to fully integrate his team into to the greater mission of the University. We are very excited to have him join our community."

In nine seasons as a Division I collegiate soccer coach (he coached for seven years at the University of New Mexico before joining Harvard in 2008) Junot was a part of six conference championship teams. Seven of the squads he coached qualified for the NCAA College Cup, including the 2005 New Mexico side that was a national finalist and a Harvard team that won the Ivy League championship last fall.

At Harvard, Junot was responsible for all aspects of team development under head coach Jamie Clark. His primary duties were recruiting, video analysis, and off-season player development. Junot worked with two-time Herman/MAC Trophy (National Player of the Year) finalist Andre Akpan.

College Soccer News named him as a Top Assistant Coaches honoree in 2008.

"From a coaching standpoint, I was initially attracted to Tufts because of its prestigious reputation as a competitive academic institution, the overall success of the athletics department, the fantastic athletic facilities, and a beautiful urban campus," Junot said. "In general I saw a lot of potential to run a first-class college soccer program.”

Junot replaces longtime head coach Ralph Ferrigno, who has coached the Jumbos to fifteen winning seasons during his 20 years in charge. From 1994-2002, the team posted an outstanding 91-41-12 record (.674) and played in two NCAA Tournaments.

"We are grateful to Ralph for the 20 years of service he provided to this University," said Gehling. "Along with the many successful teams he coached, he also did a great job reengaging the alumni of the Tufts Soccer program. We all wish Ralph the best in his future endeavors."

The 2010 Tufts men's soccer season opens at home on Saturday, September 11 with a NESCAC game against Middlebury College.