Men's Soccer: Fall 2009 - Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Ken Gavin
Coach Ken Gavin started coaching at age 17 in Dublin, Ireland with Verona FC. By age 18 Coach Gavin had his FAI license after being accepted to an elite young coach’s course run by the Football Association of Ireland. A year later he was Head Coach of Verona FC. Assisting other teams and coaches as needed. During time at FAI Coach Gavin worked on daily basis with semi-professional and professional players; including but not limited to sessions with Irelands international team (as observer before 1990 World Cup), Irelands U-16 and U-21 International teams. These events were conducted under the guidance of Joe McGrath (National director of Coaching in Ireland and former Head Coach of New Zealand) and Maurice Price (second assistant) to Jack Charlton’s Irish International for a number of years.
Coach Gavin has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and is certified in American Red Cross First Aid and CPR.
Coach Gavin sums up his coaching philosophy this way “I coach to the individuals needs from a psychological and skill perspective. I do this with the goal of molding all individuals into a cohesive and confident team.”
If you would like to get in touch with Coach Gavin, please email him at kjgavin@genesee.edu.
Assistant Coach: John McGowan
John McGowan brings 30 years of coaching experience to the Cougars Soccer and golf teams. He started coaching in 1980 at the youth level coaching travel hockey from 1980-1993. From 1999-2005 he served as a Modified and Junior Varsity Coach, as well as an assistant at Batavia High School. He earned his Associates Degree from GCC in Business Administration; Bachelors Degree from SUNY Brockport in Business Administration; and his Masters of Education Degree in Counseling Education from SUNY Brockport as well. His coaching philosophy is player development and motivation to improve skills.
Coach McGowan attended Batavia High School and was a member of the baseball and football teams where he received Academic and Sportsmanship honors in both sports. He currently resides in Batavia, NY and has four children; John Jr., Joe, Mike, and Jennifer.
John may be contacted at (585) 343-0055 x6383 or email: jmmcgowan@genesee.edu.