Hector Marinaro Retires as Head Men's Soccer Coach; Mladenovic Named Interim Head Coach

5/14/2021 10:00:00 AM | By: Kyle Kelly, Senior Staff Writer

Marinaro retires as the program's all-time winningest coach.

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio -- When Hector Marinaro was named the head coach of John Carroll University Men's Soccer in January of 2006, he was already an indoor soccer legend. Now, Marinaro leaves JCU with an entirely different legacy — as a legendary head coach.

Marinaro, a four-time Ohio Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, has announced his retirement from his post as Head Men's Soccer Coach. Dejan Mladenovic '06 will serve as the interim head coach.

Marinaro (185-82-30, 98-23-13 OAC) served at the helm for the Blue Streaks for the last 15 seasons and departs from JCU as the all-time winningest coach in the history of the Men's Soccer program.

"I think it's the perfect timing," Marinaro said. "It's going to be a quick turnaround. The players are coming off a very successful season. I just felt like it was the perfect opportunity for Dejan to step into. I am extremely proud of what him and I have been able to accomplish in the last 15 years."

During Marinaro's tenure, with the help of Mladenovic, the Blue Streaks won five OAC Tournament Championships, captured five OAC Regular Season Championships, made five NCAA Tournament appearances, and guided 72 players to All-OAC selections. He and the coaching staff were also named United Soccer Coaches Great Lakes Region Staff of the Year in 2019.

"Hector has been an outstanding coach for 15 years, leading the Men's Soccer program to new heights," said Senior Director of Athletics Michelle Morgan. "In addition to leading our student-athletes on the field, he's been a mentor and an example of a true Man of Carroll off of the field."

Blue and Gold Beginnings

When Marinao and Mladenovic began their careers as first-time coaches in 2006, that sort of success never crossed their minds. In fact, to begin Marinaro's head coaching career, it was not until his 12th career game that he'd earn his first win.

"That first season when we started 0-7-4, I really looked into the mirror and said, 'What have I got myself into?'" Marinaro said with a gentle laugh. "We weren't getting the results. We were in a lot of the games. It was just a matter of time before we started clicking a little bit better. It was definitely a transition from being a player to a head coach."

Before arriving at JCU, Marinaro spent 21 years playing soccer professionally, most famously for the Cleveland Crunch from 1989-2002 and the Cleveland Force from 2002-04. He hung up his cleats with 1,223 goals, a 7-time National Professional Soccer League Most Valuable Player. The NPSL renamed the trophy in honor of the Toronto native. Marinaro was inducted into the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.

His prosperity as a player made the lack of success as a head coach early on that much more aggravating.

"Anybody who knows me, knows how much I hate to lose. That first year was extremely frustrating," he said. "I did see us improving and getting better. The results were not indicative of how we were doing. My philosophy is if you are going to put on a uniform and play, you should play to win. That's the way I look at things. It doesn't matter what sport I compete in, I hate to lose and I want to win."

Louis Kastelic '09, a former Blue Streak standout and the current head coach of the Cleveland Crunch, also felt disappointment during the losing streak. Kastelic, who was a sophomore at the time, closed out his freshman year in 2005 as an OAC Champion.

"As a player, it was very frustrating," said Kastelic, who also was a member of the JCU coaching staff for seven seasons (2011-2018). "That schedule we played in Hector's first year was purposely made difficult. We were playing top 10 teams in the nation. We were competitive, but with a young and inexperienced team at that point, we were losing more than we probably wanted to. I didn't view it as the coaches' fault."

The losing did not last long and once the Blue Streaks began to win, they never really stopped.

To close out the 2006 regular season, the Blue and Gold won the final five games and clinched a berth to the OAC Tournament. The following season, Marinaro captured his first OAC Championship, defeating No. 14 Capital. From 2010 on, John Carroll recorded 11 consecutive seasons with 10 wins or more, which eventually led to the 185-win mark for Marinaro's career.

"When we were 0-7-4, I was just happy to get one win," Marinaro said jokingly of his career win total. "Great coaches are made by great players. We have been blessed to have a lot of great players come through our program. I really believe that the players win games."

"Our philosophy is to put the players in the best position possible and then it is up to them. We try to give them the guidelines to compete in a game and put them in the best position to win. It's always up to the players to make it happen."

The Highlight of His Career: Coaching Jesse

Jesse and Hector Marinaro — Hector and his son, Jesse '18, pose with the 2016 OAC Championship trophies following a dramatic victory.

One of the most decorated players in JCU Men's Soccer history is Hector's son, Jesse Marinaro '18, who played for the Blue Streaks from 2014-17. After his senior season, Jesse Marinaro was tabbed as a First Team All-American by D3soccer.com and the United Soccer Coaches (USC). In 2015 and 2017, Jesse was named OAC Midfielder of the Year.

"It was the highlight of my athletic career," the elder Marinaro said while fighting back tears. "I think the 2016 OAC Championship will go down as one of the highlights of my career. To be able to get over that hump and to win the OAC regular season championship and tournament championship with Jesse as a player was amazing. It is awesome to be able to coach your son."

With his father's guidance, Jesse finished his JCU career with 107 points (37 goals, 33 assists).

"It was everything that I could've asked for and more," Jesse said. "As a 17-18 year old kid, I didn't fully know what to expect going into JCU. Obviously, my dad took the position when I was nine years old, so I really grew up around the program. I watched him build the team. I went to a lot of the games. I fell in love with the school and program and knew one day, ideally, I would love to play for him and the John Carroll program."

For the 2018 and 2019 seasons, Jesse accompanied his father on his coaching staff as a graduate assistant coach.

"For him to even want to continue his career with me in college was special," Hector said. "To coach him for four years was special and to have him as my GA for another two years and win some more trophies with him on my staff was the cherry on top."

"It was an amazing experience that I am extremely grateful for," Jesse said. "Going from player to coach is a pretty tough transition. Especially with those guys being my old teammates and wanting to do everything that I can to help them, but not being able to step on the field and help them. You do what you can off the field and act as a leader in that way. Being able to do that alongside my dad and Dejan was an amazing experience."

During his youth, Jesse saw first-hand the trials and tribulations his father and Mladenovic went through to become a perennial power not just in the OAC but in all of Division III. That project did not happen overnight.

"Watching him and Dejan build the program into the powerhouse it is today was amazing to see," Jesse said. "I know some of the struggles they had early on with the limited roster size. To continually have 40-50 guys, all talented and wanting to play for the John Carroll program is something that I am extremely proud of and happy to see him and Dejan do over the years.

"The program is in an extremely great spot and winning championships has become the normal. That's what we have always strived to build."

The Reserve Squad

As soon as Marinaro and Mladenovic took over the program in 2006, the previous year's team had graduated several key players (including Mladenovic, the reigning OAC Midfielder of the Year from the previous season) and the roster size dwindled down to approximately 15 players. That left the coaching pair brainstorming with ideas of how to not only grow the program's numbers but also strengthen the talent of the team.

Now, the JCU Men's Soccer team holds nearly 50 players. Most importantly, from top to bottom, those players have the opportunity to compete in games; Whether that is a member of the varsity team or further developing their skills on the reserve team.

"I am just extremely proud of where the program is today. With the size of the squad, we have a varsity team and we have a reserve team," Marinaro said. "The talent from top to bottom, within the roster, 45-50 players is just amazing. The quality and improvement in the type of players that we have got at JCU has improved tremendously.

"I really think our reserve program has helped develop our varsity team. Our practices are a lot more competitive. Guys who do not play varsity minutes get the opportunity to get minutes in practice and improve themselves in game-like situations."

Before being named head coach of the Crunch, Kastelic benefited the JCU Men's Soccer program as the Reserve Team Head Coach.

"It was a huge thing for the program and the school because I don't think players realize the jump it takes from playing high school to coming to a D-III institution that is pretty successful. There is a leap," Kastelic said. "It is a tremendous aspect to the program as a whole. It strengthens the program and it ensures we did not have to trim the roster. Now, we can keep more players and keep them engaged in the program and then they could help us our sophomore through senior seasons."

Strength of Schedule

William Turrittin and the Blue Streaks have faced steep schedules since Marinaro and Mladenovic set their sights on national success.

To be one of the top teams in the nation, the Blue Streaks had to compete against the top teams in the nation.

As the program evolved, Marinaro and Mladenovic put together one of the toughest schedules in Division III soccer. One of those slates was the 2019 season, when the Blue Streaks played four of the top 10 teams in the USC preseason poll during non-conference play.

"About five or six years go, Dejan and I talked about this," Marinaro recalled. "We felt that if we're serious about winning a national championship or being in the conversation nationally, we have to play a better schedule. Since then, we have done everything that we can to play as many great teams as we can.

"Last year, our non-conference schedule was probably one of the toughest in the country. We are really proud of that. We want to play the best teams out there and see what they're like and how we compare to them. We see what we need to work on and what we need to do. It's important for our players to see some of the top teams up close and personal to see what they look like."

As a result of last year's success in non-conference play, John Carroll rose to a program record ranking of No. 3 in the country.

"We have learned that we can compete with the best teams in the country. I think our players believe that now," he said. "We have challenged the players with an extremely tough schedule and they've responded. They want to play the best teams and see how they compare."

William Turrittin, a team-captain and three-time OAC Midfielder of the Year, went through last year's gauntlet and found value in playing and beating key opponents.

"To compete against the top teams in the country is essential for us," he said. "We have a standard of excellence. In order to be the best you need to beat the best. The team wants to create a legacy and playing a difficult schedule is part of what it's going to take in order to do it."

The Mladenovic Impact

Mladenovic and Marinaro — Marinaro and Mladenovic have enjoyed every minute of their 15 years together. They are more than fellow coaches, they are family.

After Marinaro was hired, his choice for his assistant coach was critical for navigating Division III soccer and learning the ropes at John Carroll. Marinaro chose Mladenovic, a graduating senior on the 2005 OAC Championship team. Mladenovic was only 21 years old and in his last semester of school.

"The fact that Dejan and I were together for 15 years was really special to me," Marinaro said, choked up. "The memories of him from when he first started — he was 21 years old. Now he is 36, married, and his first child is on the way. We had a lot of ups and downs with the program. The memories of when things didn't go so well, those are memories that fuel the great memories."

Marinaro's impact on JCU's interim head coach, Mladenovic, goes beyond the pitch.

"I will never be able to thank Hector enough for giving me the opportunity to be on his coaching staff at John Carroll," Mladenovic said. "For me, it's much more than soccer, records or championships. Hector has taught me so much about how to be a better person. He's been an unbelievable example of someone who is not only kind to others, but is a first-class father, husband and family man. Someone who is always willing to give his time to help others achieve their own personal goals in all capacities of life.

"The reality of the situation is he hired me to be his assistant, but at the end of the day, the most important benefit I have gained from our relationship at JCU is a best friend, mentor and someone I will always look up to and strive to be like. I consider him family and that will never change. I thank God every day that He brought Hector Marinaro into my life."

The relationship between Marinaro and Mladenovic grew so strong that Marinaro and Mladenovic consider each other family.

"Dejan has become like a son to me," Hector said. "I do not become the all-time winningest coach without Dejan and everything that he has given to me and my family and this program. His relentless recruiting has really been at the forefront of what we have been able to accomplish as a program.

"He lives for John Carroll University. I have been here for 15 years, he's been here for 19 as a player and coach. I know how much this University means to him and I know how much he means to me."

What's Next

Marinaro retires at a time where the expectations for John Carroll Men's Soccer have never been greater.

The adversity faced throughout this past season is unprecedented to any of the previous struggles during his tenure at JCU. Through it all, the Blue Streaks compiled a 10-0 record, which became the only undefeated season in program history. The Blue and Gold return every starter heading into this fall.

"This whole COVID season has put a new outlook on everything," Marinaro said. "With the NCAA giving the seniors an extra year of eligibility, it means that we bring back the entire team for next season. That has never happened in our 15 years. Every year, there's players leaving and coming in. This is going to be the first time where we come into a new season and really haven't lost anybody.

"It couldn't have worked out any better. Dejan has tremendous leaders on the team with the senior class who are going to help him tremendously in the transition to being a head coach. The timing couldn't have been any better. I think I am leaving him in a good situation where he can hit the ground running."

The Blue Streaks return the entire senior class – composed of Michael Adelman, William Grubbs, Max Hess, Benjamin Hryszko, Jared Ianiro, Stephen Schutt and Turrittin. Led by these veterans, the Blue Streaks will look to defend their three-time OAC Championship.

"We are sad to see him go, but we appreciate what he has done to set us up for future success," Adelman, a team captain said. "He has been a tremendous coach and friend who we all think very highly of. That being said, we are excited that he gets to enjoy retirement and spend more time with his family."

As for Hector, it's time to unplug.

"For the past 15 years, I have been doing double-duty," he said. "I also have a sales job with Inflatable Images in Brunswick, Ohio. It will be nice to take a break from two jobs — just concentrate on one. I still plan on working sales for Inflatable Images. But as I said, it is time to take it easy a little bit and slow down.

"I am going to sit back and hopefully come to some John Carroll games and sit up in the stands and yell at the coaches," he said with a chuckle. "Just be a fan. It will be fun."

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Hector Marinaro Retires as Head Men's Soccer Coach; Mladenovic Named Interim Head Coach

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