FREDERICK, Md. (Men's Soccer) - Jesse Zafiratos has been named the new men's soccer head coach at Hood College, announced Director of Athletics Dr. Susan Kolb. He will begin his duties on January 4, 2021.
In five years as a head coach at four-year institutions, Zafiratos has a career record of 58-20-5 (.729) between Rosemont College and Penn State Brandywine.
"I am honored to be named the next head men's soccer coach at Hood College." Zafiratos said. "I would like to thank Hood President Dr. Andrea Chapdelaine and Director of Athletics Dr. Susan Kolb for entrusting me with this amazing opportunity ahead. I am very excited to work with this great group of student-athletes, and to contribute to an already amazing athletic department."
Zafiratos takes over a program that has won at least eight matches in each of the previous six seasons, including double-digit win three times.
"I am extremely pleased with the success of our search for our next head men's soccer coach," said Dr. Kolb. "Jesse rose to the top of a very competitive candidate pool because of his energy, passion for the game and his past success in coaching and recruiting. I couldn't be more excited for our men's soccer team as they will have a great leader who I am confident will move the program forward."
He has served as the head coach at Rosemont College since 2019. In his first season with the Ravens, he quickly doubled the win total and led the program to its first CSAC Championship game appearance in seven years, ending a five-year playoff drought. Rosemont upset top-seeded Centenary on the road in the semifinals to advance to the conference championship, where they fell 1-0 loss to regionally ranked Keystone.
Zafiratos turned in an impressive three-year run as head coach at Penn State Brandywine from 2016-18, culminating in the Lions' first USCAA National Championship. He compiled a 50-10-3 overall record, including a perfect 27-0 in the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference en route to three-straight conference titles and top 10 USCAA rankings. He coached 22 All-PSUAC selections and 10 USCAA All-Americans. His 2018 team led all levels of collegiate soccer with 102 goals scored. Zafiratos was named the 2017 PSUAC Coach of the Year and the 2018 Philadelphia Inquirer Small College Coach of the Year.
Prior to his time at Penn State Brandywine, Zafiratos spent one year as the head coach at Valley Forge Military College, a two-year institution, and five seasons as an assistant at Widener University. With the Pride, Zafiratos helped the team increase its win total each season, including a berth in the ECAC South Region Tournament semifinals in 2014.
Zafiratos is a full-time administrator and senior staff coach with the prestigious Lower Merion Soccer Club. He serves as the Regional Assistant Director of coaching and is also in charge of running the College Advisory Program. He coached a team to a 2017 state championship, appearing in the next two state championship games.
"I have been so fortunate to have had such great mentors along the way," Zafiratos said. "I would also like to thank former La Roche men's basketball coach the late Scott Lang and former Widener men's soccer coach Brent Jacquette for their incredible mentorship and guidance. I wouldn't be where I am today without these two individuals, and I am forever grateful for them."
Zafiratos began his collegiate playing career at Kutztown University before transferring to La Roche College in Pittsburgh, Pa. He was a three-year starter and senior captain, helping the Redhawks qualify for three Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference playoff appearances. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education.
He holds a class B coaching license from the United States Soccer Federation.