McCall Announces Retirement From Men's Soccer, Named New Head Golf Coach
DENVER – Longtime Head Regis University Men's Soccer Coach,
Tony McCall, has announced his retirement from coaching soccer after 25 years of collegiate coaching, leaving as the winningest coach in Regis Men's Soccer history.
"After 25 years as a college soccer coach and the last 12 years as the Head Men's Soccer Coach here at Regis University… my wife, Jennifer, and my children, Rhegan and Kenleigh, have encouraged me to follow my dreams. I am truly at the stage in my life where it is the right decision at the right time for me to announce my retirement from college soccer. It isn't very often that we (coaches) get to live our dreams to their conclusion. In my mind, I have concluded my journey with the Regis University men's soccer program" – McCall on his retirement.
McCall, who has spent the last 12 years as the head coach of the Regis men's soccer team, is the winningest coach in the program's history dating back to 1986. McCall was hired as the sixth-ever coach of the men's soccer team in 2009 and has gone on to win 132 games. His overall record at RU stands at 132-64-17 which amounts to a .698 winning percentage, which is also tops among all coaches in the men's soccer record books at Regis.
Throughout his time, all but one of his teams have reached the postseason Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament (RMAC) men's soccer tournament. In 2010, only his second year as the head coach of the Rangers, McCall led his team to their first-ever National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II Tournament berth with an overall record of 14-3-4. McCall has twice been named the RMAC Coach of the Year (2012, 2013), and has produced many All-American, All-Region and All-Conference performers over his 12 seasons.
"Over the last 12 years, Regis soccer has evolved into a program that competes at a high level each year with amazing student-athletes and staff who work tirelessly in pursuit of success both on the field and in the classroom" says McCall. "I have had the privilege to work with very special student-athletes, coaching staffs, and encouraging administrators who have supported me since the day I arrived on campus back in 2009".
In 2012, McCall captured another first for the program when he guided his team to a 17-2-1 overall mark and the program's first-ever No. 1 ranking in the country. The United Soccer Coaches (formerly the NSCAA) ranked the 2012 Regis Rangers squad the top-team in the country for three-straight weeks. That season, Regis won the RMAC Regular Season Title with a perfect 14-0 record in the conference, which was only the second time in RMAC history that a team finished the season undefeated in conference play.
In addition to his RMAC Coach of the Year honors, McCall is also a two-time National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) South Central Region Coach of the Year (2012, 2013). In 2013, McCall's squad advanced all the way to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Tournament, the deepest tournament run of any men's soccer team in Regis history.
This is not the end of the coaching road for McCall, though. While he may be retiring from coaching the sport of soccer, McCall has recently been appointed Head Men's and Women's Golf Coach at Regis University.
"I am blessed to be able to pursue another opportunity that will continue my association with the Regis University community and Athletic Department" McCall adds. "There are so many people who have been apart of my journey here at Regis and if it wasn't for the faith shown in me by current Regis University President, Rev. John P. Fitzgibbons, S.J., Chief of Staff, Terri Campbell, and Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics,
David Spafford, amongst a long list of others, I would not be in the position I am today to say 'thank you' for the incredible memories during this journey".
Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics,
David Spafford, remarked, "Tony and I have been working together for a number of years regarding his transition out of coaching and trying to find a way for him to remain with the department in some capacity. Currently, the men's soccer program is in a strong position. They have a long history of graduating our student-athletes while remaining competitive and contending for championships. This is something, we believe,
Taylor Diem will continue to build upon for a long time." Spafford added, "Additionally, I am confident in Tony's ability to bring the same stability, academic success and competitive success, to our golf programs
Though McCall will not be on the bench with the men's soccer team any longer, he adds, "I will be able to support the team and my longtime Assistant Coach and friend,
Taylor Diem, on their 2021 journey. Thank you all for the memories".
Upon McCall's retirement, Diem will serve as the Acting Head Men's Soccer Coach.