Rutgers Women's Soccer: Know R Coaches
5/8/2020
HEAD COACH MIKE O'NEILL
Name: Michael O’Neill
Hometown: New Egypt, NJ
First Season at Rutgers as a coach: 2000
Years as a collegiate player: 1986-90 at Seton Hall
Position played: Center Back
Favorite part about being a coach for RU: The People
Favorite part of being a coach overall: I have the opportunity to teach student athletes about life through a game I Love
If you weren't a coach, what would you be: A Teacher
In your opinion, what is the most important characteristic a player should have: Passion to Improve
Starbucks Coffee Order: Grande Caffe Latte
Chocolate or Candy: Chocolate
Favorite Club: Glasgow Celtic Football Club
Typical Post-Workout Meal: Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Favorite binge meal: PIZZA
Hobby outside of soccer: Reading
Favorite TV Show: Shark Tank and The Profit
Social media platform or current trend you don't understand: All of Them
Dream place to see a soccer game or dream team to see play: Paradise, Celtic Park, Glasgow Scotland
ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH MEGHAN RYAN NEMZER
Name: Meghan Ryan Nemzer
Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland
First Season at Rutgers as a coach: 2007
Years as a collegiate player: 2003-07 at Rutgers University
Position played: Played Outside/Center Back in high school, moved to Center Back in college (the best position)
Favorite part about being a coach for RU: I love being part of a family and knowing that I get to help young ladies develop on and off the field. To see their growth from when they came in their freshman year to graduation really makes me proud. I love seeing once they graduate they have formed an identity of who they are and what is important to them in life.
Favorite part of being a coach overall: I get to do what I love to do and be able to share my passion with my student-athletes. Also, building relationships, developing and winning :)
If you weren't a coach, what would you be: Elementary Teacher. I started my masters at Rutgers, but I got involved with coaching right when I graduated. I knew I wanted to combine my two passions in life; soccer and teaching!
In your opinion, what is the most important characteristic a player should have: Hard working - I believe your work ethic is something that you will always have control over even when it may not go your way for that day. All successful players that I have been lucky enough to coach always are driven to do their best and improve every single day.
Starbucks Coffee Order: Tall Nitro Cold Brew
Chocolate or Candy: Fruit :) but if I had to pick Candy
Favorite Club: Man City
Typical Post-Workout Meal: Protein Smoothie or a Grilled Chicken with Salad
Favorite binge meal: Pancakes
Hobby outside of soccer: Seeing my family from Maryland and playing with my niece and nephew, Penny, 6 and Lucas, 3.
Favorite TV Show: Depends what mood I'm in, but can range from - The Office, Nailed it, Songland and any kind of mystery show
Social media platform or current trend you don't understand: Instagram
Dream place to see a soccer game or dream team to see play: Etihad Stadium
ASSISTANT COACH LUBOS ANCIN
Name: Lubos Ancin
Hometown: Manville, NJ
First Season at Rutgers as a coach: 2014
Years as a player (College and years on team): 2003-06 at Rutgers University
Position played: Goalkeeper, Rutgers/Burlington TWP, Forward in HS (first team all-state)
Favorite part about being a coach for RU: The family atmosphere, coaching staff, and support staff. Mostly, the student-athletes because at the end of the day, to have a positive impact in someone else's life and to help them grow to become great people, it is feeling like no other.
Favorite part of being a coach overall: Making not only better players but better people. Getting better every day.
If you weren't a coach, what would you be: Soccer coach, there is no other occupation I would rather have or wanted to have.
In your opinion, what is the most important characteristic a player should have: Character, dedication.
Starbucks Coffee Order: Venti, no ice, very berry hibiscus with lemonade instead of water.
Chocolate or Candy: BOTH PLEASE
Favorite Club: Real Madrid - nobody else is even close
Typical Post-Workout Meal: Gatorade - Nothing to eat - I can't eat right after I workout
Favorite binge meal: HMMM?? what is binge?
Hobby outside of soccer: Family, tennis, movies, video games, sleep
Favorite TV Show: F.R.I.E.N.D.S - come on quiz me, I dare you.
Social media platform or current trend you don't understand: Understand all of them, don't use or have most of them though
Dream place to see a soccer game or dream team to see play: Real Madrid, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT COACH RICH ALBERTO
Name: Rich Alberto
Hometown: Clark, NJ
First Season at Rutgers as a coach: 2014
Position played: Central Midfield
Favorite part about being a coach for RU: Anyone that knows us knows that Rutgers Soccer is a family. I was born in NJ, grew up in NJ, played soccer in NJ, and studied at Rutgers. New Jersey is all I know. To be given the opportunity to work with extremely talented players, coaches, and support staff for THE state university of New Jersey is more than I would've dreamed of.
Favorite part of being a coach overall: Overall, I love helping young people succeed and achieve their dreams. I'm always learning - whether it be from my colleagues, other coaches, the players, or even the game itself. Soccer is ever-changing and evolving. But at the core of the profession, there has to be a desire to teach and help young people through "the beautiful game".
If you weren't a coach, what would you be: It would have to be a career involving people. I'm a social person that loves interacting with others. Perhaps a color commentator/sports reporter!
In your opinion, what is the most important characteristic a player should have: Relentlessness - a player should continue to work hard on their craft, particularly in moments of adversity
Starbucks Coffee Order: Venti, Iced, Unsweetened Green Tea
Chocolate or Candy: Chocolate
Favorite Club: SL Benfica
Typical Post-Workout Meal: A Protein shake (boring)
Favorite binge meal: Not sure about binge-ing an entire meal but: Chips. I can't put them down.
Hobby outside of soccer: All forms of music, but particularly electronic music.
Favorite TV Show: After this 2020 quarantine: Ozark on Netflix.
Social media platform or current trend you don't understand: Tik Tok
Dream place to see a soccer game or dream team to see play: River Plate vs Boca Juniors in "La Bombonera" - Buenos Aires, Argentina
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS TRISH DIPAOLO
Name: Trish DiPaolo
Hometown: Sparta, NJ
First Season at Rutgers as a coach: 2013
Years as a collegiate player: 2007-2013 at Rutgers University
Position played: Forward, Center Mid, Outside Back
Favorite part about being a coach for RU: FAMILY <3
Favorite part of being a coach overall: Passion for the game and helping young athletes further develop skill sets that will allow them to be successful in sports and life beyond. Watching both individuals and the team accomplish the goals they set, knowing the process and work that they put in to get there.
If you weren't a coach, what would you be: The person who test runs vacations for a travel agency
In your opinion, what is the most important characteristic a player should have: Heart, work rate, and be a good human.
Starbucks Coffee Order: Venti Iced Americano with Coconut Milk & Sugar Free Vanilla
Chocolate or Candy: Swedish Fish
Favorite Club: Manchester City
Typical Post-Workout Meal: Pizza
Favorite binge meal: Also, Pizza :)
Hobby outside of soccer: Anything outside
Favorite TV Show: Grey's Anatomy
Social media platform or current trend you don't understand: Tik Tok
Dream place to see a soccer game or dream team to see play: City vs. United At Old Trafford
