Dejan Mladenovic Selected as 11th Head Coach in Men's Soccer History

6/17/2021 10:45:00 AM | By: Joe Ginley '16, SID

Mladenovic is a new head coach, but no stranger to JCU after 15 seasons on staff as an assistant coach.

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Dejan Mladenovic '06 has been chosen as the next head coach of John Carroll University Men's Soccer, as announced by Senior Director of Athletics Michelle Morgan.

Mladenovic ascends to the role of head coach after 15 successful seasons as Hector Marinaro's right-hand man.

"I could not be more thrilled to have Dejan lead our Men's Soccer program," said Morgan. "Dejan did a phenomenal job as an assistant coach and later as associate head coach. I have full confidence that he'll continue to succeed as head coach."

In May, Hector Marinaro retired as head coach after 15 seasons, ending his career as the winningest coach in the history of the program with a 185-82-30 record. Mladenovic served alongside him the whole way, and will look to continue the tradition of excellence established.

"I want to thank Michelle Morgan and President Miciak for the opportunity to lead the men's soccer program at John Carroll University. It is an honor and a privilege to be trusted with this responsibility and I truly cannot wait to get back on the field in August to get back to work," said Mladenovic.

"I would also like to send a special thank you to my mentor, Hector Marinaro. There is absolutely no way I would have been ready for this moment if it was not for his friendship and guidance during his tenure as head coach. He spent a great deal of time and effort grooming me to take over the program while building a nationally recognized soccer team and giving our student-athletes a top notch collegiate experience. I will do my best to make him proud and carry on his legacy.

"Lastly I would like to thank the players, their parents and all alumni for their continuous and unwavering support of the men's soccer program. These groups of individuals prove their dedication to John Carroll and the athletic department through hard work and sacrifice on a daily basis. I am blessed to have such a great support system within the first class JCU community as we continue to work towards excellence both on and off the field."

Mladenovic may be new to his role, but he's not a stranger to anyone at John Carroll, as he's now in his 20th year as a Blue Streak.

Mladenovic arrived in University Heights as a freshman in 2002 and proceeded to enjoy a stellar collegiate career. The Parma native helped JCU Men's Soccer capture the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament Championship and the program's first NCAA Tournament wins in 2003. Following a strong junior year ending in the 2004 OAC Tournament Championship game, Mladenovic led the Blue Streaks to a glorious 2005 campaign. The Normandy grad ushered JCU to regular season and tournament titles, scoring the overtime game-winner in the OAC championship bout. The Blue Streaks won the NCAA Tournament opener before dropping a 2-1 double overtime loss in the next round. Mladenovic garnered OAC Midfielder of the Year and All-OAC First Team honors, along with NSCAA All-Region 2nd Team recognition.

Upon graduation, Mladenovic held the program-record for 80 games played. He scored 51 career points with 19 goals and 13 assists, a clutch player with 7 game-winning goals. In 2005, he led the OAC in goals (8) and points (18).

Mladenovic began his second tour of duty in spring 2006 as a coach, as Marinaro brought him aboard as his assistant. From 2006-15, Mladenovic served as assistant coach before Marinaro promoted his trusty partner to Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator in 2016.

In 15 seasons, Marinaro and Mladenovic steered the Blue Streaks to five OAC Tournament Championships, five OAC Regular Season Championships, and five NCAA Tournament appearances. They guided 72 players to All-OAC selections. The duo were also named United Soccer Coaches Great Lakes Region Staff of the Year in 2019.

In the first year of the Mladenovic Era, the Blue Streaks will have high hopes. After a third straight OAC Championship this spring, the Blue Streaks will look to be the conference's kings again in 2021 and win on the national stage after finishing as the #1 team in the United Soccer Coaches' Division III 2021 spring poll.

Since Mladenovic became part of the program in 2002, the Blue Streaks have a record of 240-105-33 (.679), so the skies are sunny as ever for the Blue and Gold with Mladenovic leading the way.

Entering his 16th season as a coach at JCU, Mladenovic is the fourth-longest tenured John Carroll coach, behind Mike Moran, Lewis Fellinger, and Frank O'Brien.

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