Tommy DiNuzzo, an assistant coach for two of Division III’s elite men’s soccer coaches, has been named the new head men’s soccer coach at the University of Maine at Farmington. UMaine-Farmington athletics director Julie Davis announced DiNuzzo’s hiring Monday.
DiNuzzo comes to UMaine-Farmington from Lynchburg College, where he has been a graduate assistant coach for the past two seasons to Hornets head coach Chris Yeager, the 2010 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) National Coach of the Year.
“Tommy was a standout candidate in a very deep pool of applicants,” said Davis. “He brings a lot of enthusiasm to the position, and his commitment to a creating an atmosphere of competitive and personal success for his student-athletes was the perfect match for what we were seeking in the next UMaine-Farmington men’s soccer coach.
“As an assistant coach, Tommy has been mentored by some of the best coaches in Division III and I believe he is uniquely prepared to build upon the long tradition of success of UMaine-Farmington men’s soccer,” said Davis.
While at Lynchburg, DiNuzzo assisted with all aspects of the program, including recruiting and player development. He was on the touchline with the Lynchburg staff as the Hornets reached the 2011 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Tournament championship game, and helped guide Lynchburg to the third seed of the 2012 ODAC Tournament.
“I am excited and extremely humbled at being named as the next head men's soccer coach at UMaine-Farmington,” said DiNuzzo. “The program has a very strong history and I am looking forward to helping the team compete in the North Atlantic Conference. I also would like to thank Ms. Davis and the rest of search committee for giving me this great opportunity and putting their trust in me.”
While a graduate student at Lynchburg, DiNuzzo also worked as an assistant coach at Jefferson Forest High School in Forest, Va. Working alongside Jefferson Forest head coach Jedd Zaring, the 2012 NSCAA National High School Coach of the Year, DiNuzzo helped guide the Cavaliers to a 22-1-1 record and a berth in the Virginia AA state semifinals.
DiNuzzo previously served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Va., assisting his collegiate coach, Roy Gordon, during the 2009 and 2010 seasons.
Gordon coached at UMaine-Farmington from 1970 to 1976, leaving Farmington to start the program at then-Mary Washington College. He retired following the 2010-11 academic year with a 432-253-53 record, and served as the NSCAA’s president in 1999. Gordon currently ranks 20th in total victories among all NCAA men’s soccer coaches, and 10th among NCAA Division III coaching leaders.
DiNuzzo’s coaching resume also includes club coaching with Central Virginia United and Prince William Soccer, and a stint as an assistant at Chancellor High School. He served as an assistant coach and talent evaluator with the Virginia Central District ODP program from 2007 to 2010. DiNuzzo has been a summer soccer camp clinician at the College of William & Mary, Hampden-Sydney College, Bucknell University, Gettysburg College, and Washington and Lee University.
DiNuzzo is a 2009 graduate of the University of Mary Washington with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history, and was a four-year starter and two-year captain for the Eagles. He is currently pursuing his master’s degree in educational leadership at Lynchburg College.