John Velasco was named as the new head coach of the King's College men's soccer team on May 4, 2021, taking over for Mark Bassett after his 19 years at the helm of the program. Velasco becomes only the second full-time head coach at the College, as he comes to King's after a three-year tenure at nearby Marywood University.Â
A former four-time New Jersey All-State, All-Middlesex County, and All-Conference selection in high school, Velasco went on to play for the New Jersey State and Region 1 Olympic Development Program team as well as the Youth National Team player pool. He then transitioned into the collegiate game where he competed for both Division II East Stroudsburg University and Division III NJAC powerhouse Montclair State University and played for multiple conference championship teams.
In his transition from playing to coaching, Velasco worked under Nike Soccer, providing training sessions throughout the East Coast as the Regional Tour Manager. In addition, he's worked with Nike's The Chance Academy soccer program (North America) as a scout on the east coast, identifying players from both academy and non-academy teams. Velasco also worked in conjunction with the Youth U.S Soccer Training Centers and Combines through the Nike Soccer Programs.
Additionally, Velasco served as First Team Support Staff and Academy Staff Trainer for Major League Soccer's (MLS) Columbus Crew SC where he assisted in the tactical, technical and developmental strategy of academy players, in addition to overseeing the MLS first team’s budgeting for apparel-related products. He also aided with Crew SC's College ID clinics and summer college programs, was the player-to-coach translator for the first team, and served on the staff during its 2015 MLS Cup appearance.
- Velasco led the Monarchs to the MAC Freedom tournament in his first-year at the helm
- Overall record of 14-18-3, while posting a 7-9Â mark in MAC Freedom play.
- 2022Â - MAC Freedom semifinal appearance
- MAC Freedom Coach of the Year (1): 2021
- United Soccer Coaches All-Region IV Team (1): 2021 - Kyle Shalvey (Third Team)
- MAC Freedom First Team (2): 2021 – Kyle Shalvey, Aziz Atiyeh
- MAC Freedom Second Team (2): 2022 - Liam Yair; 2021 – Buck Diacont
- MAC Freedom Honorable Mention (1): 2021 – Nate Horn
- Head Coach, Men's Soccer, Marywood University (2018-21)
- Assistant Coach, Men's Soccer, Bloomfield College (2017-18)
- Interim Head Coach, Men's Soccer, Kean University (2016-17)
- Academy Staff Trainer, Columbus Crew SC (MLS), (2014-15)
- First Team Support Staff, Columbus Crew SC (MLS), (2014-16)
- Regional Scouting Manager, Nike Academy, (2012-14)
- Assistant Coach, Men's Soccer, Kean University (2012-14)
Â
| Year |
Overall |
MAC Freedom |
Postseason or Notes |
|
|
|
2021-PRESENT AT KING’S COLLEGE |
| 2022 |
5-12-2 |
1-7 |
|
| 2021 |
9-6-1 |
6-2 |
MAC Freedom Semifinal |
|
|
|
2018-21 AT MARYWOOD UNIV. |
| 2020Â Â |
1-0 |
0-0 |
Season Canceled Due to CoVID-19 |
| 2019 |
6-12 |
1-5 |
|
| 2018 |
1-13-1 |
0-5-1 |
|
|
|
|
2016 AT KEAN UNIVERSITY |
| 2016 |
14-6-1Â Â |
4-4-1 |
NCAA Tournament Appearance |
| at KC |
14-18-3 |
7-9 |
|
| TOTAL |
36-49-5 |
12-23-2 |
|
|
- Graduate of Montclair State University with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education & Adult Fitness.
- Two-year member of the Red Hawk men's soccer team.Â
- Working on his Masters of Higher Education Administration from Marywood, expected completion 2022.Â
- Holds multiple coaching certificates (United Soccer Coaches, US Soccer Federation, Athletico De Madrid).
- CPR certified.
- International Society of Performance Analysis of Sport analyst and is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
