The Dayton Dutch Lions FC are proud to hire Mike Tucker as their Women's Professional Soccer League head coach for 2017. Coach Tucker will also be coaching the youth academy U16 Girls squad this spring.
"We could not be any happier today with the signing on of Coach Tucker," shared Club Director, Ric Campbell. "He is one of the most experienced coaches in the nation. His soccer knowledge at all ages will be a huge asset to our club. I welcome Mike and look forward to his contributions this year."
Mike retired from coaching at the University of Dayton in January, 2017 after spending 25 years there – 3 as an assistant, and the past 22 years as head coach of the women’s soccer program. At the time of his retirement, he was one of only 17 active coaches in Division I with over 300 victories. His overall record as head coach was 313-124-34.
During his head coaching tenure, the Flyers won 11 Atlantic 10 conference championships, captured 10 A-10 tournament championships and appeared in 10 NCAA tournaments, including a Sweet 16 appearance and two trips to the second round. He was named as the A-10 Coach of the Year five times, the NSCAA Regional Coach of the Year and a finalist for NSCAA National Coach of the Year.
Mike takes great pride in the accomplishments of the Flyer teams in the classroom, as they won 21 consecutive NSCAA team academic awards and had a team GPA over 3.0 during his entire career.
During his career, he helped develop numerous players who received league and national honors.
- Seventeen were named as All-Americans
- Eight were Academic All-Americans
- Fifty-Two were First Team All-Ohio selections
- Fifty-Nine were First Team All-Atlantic 10
- Eight were named A-10 Offensive Players of the Year
- Eight were named as A-10 Defensive Players of the Year.
Recently, Nicole Waters led the country in assists and this past season junior Alexis Kiehl was the NCAA leader in goals scored. Several of his players played professionally and represented their national teams.
Prior to joining the University of Dayton, Mike had an illustrious youth academy career. He coached the ’73 Cardinals club team to over 300 victories, three state championships, numerous tournament championships and in 1987 his U-14 team won the London International Football Festival where they became the first women’s team to play in the original Wembley Stadium.
He also was a long time State Coach in the Ohio South Olympic Development program in the U-16 and U-17 age groups.
He holds a NSCCA Advanced Diploma, has been elected to the Ohio Soccer Hall of Fame and is an Ohio Soccer Coaches Association Honor Award winner.
Mike and his wife, Chris reside in Miami Township. They have two daughters, Lori who resides in Mansfield, TX. With her four children (ages 24, 22, 21 and 17), and Traci who resides in Maumee, OH. with her husband, Lou and their three children (ages 17,
15 and 13).
Please give Coach Tucker a huge ORANGE FAMILY welcome.