Michael Smolens begins his 23rd season at the helm of the men’s soccer program at the United States Merchant Marine Academy with a record of 270-122-32.  He has led the Mariners to 21 consecutive winning seasons – all with 10 wins or more – as well as nine conference championships and five NCAA Tournament bids.

Under Smolens, 2011 marked the third consecutive time the Marienrs reached the NCAA Tournament.  USMMA also snagged their first championship in the Landmark Conference by defeating two-time defending champs Catholic University of America 1-0 in the Landmark Championship game.

In 2009, Smolens led his club to its third NCAA Tournament appearance during his tenure with a 15-4 overall record and a 6-1 mark in the Landmark Conference. Four Mariners were named to the All-Landmark teams, including two of his players who were tabbed as the Offensive Player of the Year and the Rookie of the Year. The Mariners had a number of big victories during the 2009 season including wins over NCAA Qualifiers, Plattsburg (2-1), St. Joseph's (4-0) and Catholic (1-0). Their 2-0 win over Coast Guard continued the Mariners' unbeaten streak in the Superintendents' Trophy, which dates back to 1999.

In 2007, Smolens guided the Mariners to the first Landmark Conference regular season title, finishing the season 11-6 (6-1). Smolens and his staff were named the Landmark Conference Coaching Staff of the Year in 2007. He has also been named the NSCAA Regional Coach of the Year in 2002 and 2004 and the Skyline Coach of the Year on nine occasions. The 2002 club was ranked as high as sixth nationally and the 2004 campaign finished the fall ranked No. 17 in the NSCAA National Poll.

In addition to his coaching duties, Smolens serves as the Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations and oversees compliance, scheduling and academic affairs. Coach Smolens has also worked with numerous soccer programs, including the New York State Olympic Development squads and Coaching License Clinics. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education at Springfield College in 1984 and was also a three-year starter for the Chiefs’ soccer team.

He earned a master’s degree in sports administration from Adelphi University in 1990. Furthermore, he holds a USSF “B” coaching license and an NSCAA advanced national coaching diploma. Smolens resides in Great Neck, N.Y. with his wife, Patti, and daughters, Kate and Diana.

John Fitzgerald, in his 15th year as the Associate Head Coach of the Mariners, brings a wealth of coaching and administrative experience to the Blue and Gray. Since his arrival, the Mariners have thrived as a regional power.

In 2004, he earned NSCAA/Adidas Northeast Regional Assistant Coach of the Year honors. As head coach of the Long Island Lady Rough Riders (1996-1998, 2006-Present), Fitzgerald led the team to the 1997 W-League National Championship title, posting a record of 33-9. Fitzgerald has also served as the Technical Director of the Long Island Junior Soccer League ODP. Additional experience includes being the NSCAA Regional Technical Director, the head coach of the 1998 USISL W-League Umbro All-Star Select Team, head coach of the LIJSL Coaching Academy between 1996-98, staff coach of the Eastern New York Olympic Development Program from 1986-97, assistant men’s coach at Farmingdale State between 1990-96, assistant coach of the Women’s U.S. Region I select team in 1986 and assistant coach of the three-time State Champion Hicksville Hawks between 1986-95. At Hicksville, he coached ten All-State selections, four All-Region selections, three national team players and three professional players.

“Coach Fitzgerald’s leadership and expertise continually contribute to the high success of our program,” said Mike Smolens.

A 1985 graduate of SUNY Farmingdale, Fitzgerald is an NSCAA “Premiere Diploma” licensed coach and owns a USSF “A” coaching license. Fitzgerald resides in Smithtown, N. Y. with his wife, Elizabeth, and their children, Erin and Sean.

Trevor Banks joined the Mariners in 2012 as an assistant soccer coach and has been coaching at the collegiate level since 2009.  He comes to the Academy after spending last season as the assistant soccer coach at Barry University in Miami, Florida and the prior two seasons as the assistant coach at William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri. 

While at Barry and William Woods, Banks specialized in the training of the defensive core. In the 2011 season the defensive core at Barry posted a GAA of .90.  During this time Banks coached goalkeeper Johnny Rodrigues who was named to the All-SSC First Team, Daktronics All-South Region Team and Daktronics All-America Team while under his direction.

At William Woods, Banks was a part of helping turn a program around. In the 2009 season he worked closely with goalkeeper Robert Thibodeaux who posted a single season record setting GAA of .76 while also being named to the All-Conference Honorable mention list. In the 2010 season Banks was a part of a program at William Woods who found themselves in their first appearance in the conference semi-finals match losing to eventual champions Park University.

In addition to his collegiate coaching duties Banks has also worked with numerous youth soccer clubs around the nation such as Omaha Futbol Club, Owensboro United, Daviess County Youth, Columba Soccer Club, Capital Soccer Club, Miami Shores FC, Weston FC and most recently Long Island Rough Rider.  Banks also serves as the assistant men’s coach with the Long Island Rough Riders of the United Soccer League.

Banks earned a Master’s degree in Athletic Administration from William Woods University in 2010 and a bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts from Kentucky Wesleyan College in 2009. Banks also played 3 seasons at Kentucky Wesleyan College from 2006-2009 and 5 seasons in the United Soccer League from 2004-2009.  He has earned NSCAA National, Regional, and State Goalkeeper Diplomas and owns a USSF “B” License.   

Banks currently resides in New York, NY.

Jordan Barbach joined the United States Merchant Marine Academy in the summer of 2012 as an assistant soccer coach.  He is also a certified performance enhancement specialist as well as a certified strength & conditioning specialist. 

Barbach was formally a goalkeeper at Northeastern University from 2007-2010.   He graduated from Northeastern in 2010 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music.  In 2012 he received his NSCAA Natioinal Coaching Diploma.

Aside from his duties at the Academy, he also trains and coaches teams for the Great Neck Soccer Club.

Barbach is originally from and currently resides in Great Neck, NY.