Temple University Athletics
Former King’s College Head Coach John Velasco to Join Temple’s Staff
3.14.23 | Men's Soccer
PHILADELPHIA - Temple men's soccer head coach Bryan Green announced the addition of John Velasco to his staff as an assistant coach after most recently serving as the head coach at King's College for the past two seasons.
"John has great experience in the game. He has worked with great coaches while with the Columbus Crew and then took that knowledge to run his own program for the past several years," Bryan Green said. "His head coaching experience will be a great asset for the program as he can take charge of training sessions, individually coach and mentor our student-athletes as well as lend great insight to finding solutions both on and off the field to help elevate us to the top of the American Athletic Conference. Additionally, he has proven to be a very good recruiter and has great connections in Pennsylvania and New Jersey."
Velasco garnered a 9-6-1 record throughout his first season with King's all while going 6-2 in MAC Freedom play which earned the Monarchs a semifinals appearance in the postseason tournament. After a strong debut season, Velasco was named the MAC Freedom Coach of the Year in 2021.
"I'd like to take the time to acknowledge and thank my family as well as colleagues for their continued support and guidance throughout my career. It's that support that has allowed me to experience opportunities such as this one," Velasco said. "I'd like to thank Coach Bryan Green for welcoming me to his staff and allowing me to work alongside this group to fulfill the vision that he has for Temple Soccer. Temple University has such a rich history of success, and it was evident from my first conversation with Coach Green that this was where I wanted to be. The vision and the direction he has for Temple Men's Soccer is exciting, challenging, and will be rewarding. I look forward to getting to work right away with Coach Green, the staff, and this group of guys!"
Before joining King's in the spring of 2021, Velasco gained head coaching experience with both Kean University in 2016 as an interim, and Marywood University where he stayed from 2018 through 2021 before taking the job with the Monarchs. During that 2016 season with Kean, he led the team to a 14-6-1 overall record, earning them a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in six years.
Velasco spent his high school career being named a four-time New Jersey All-State, All-Middlesex Country, and All-Conference athlete. As a result, he was invited to play for the New Jersey State and Regional 1 Olympic Development Program, and he then became a member of the Youth National Team. His collegiate career was spent at both East Stroudsburg and Montclair State having the chance to compete for many conference titles.
The newly appointed assistant coach joins Ryan Sandell as the coaching staff members hired by Bryan Green in his tenure with Temple this far.
Temple is scheduled to start its spring season against Drexel on Friday, March 17 at the Temple Sports Complex. The match is set to begin at 6:30 p.m.
"John has great experience in the game. He has worked with great coaches while with the Columbus Crew and then took that knowledge to run his own program for the past several years," Bryan Green said. "His head coaching experience will be a great asset for the program as he can take charge of training sessions, individually coach and mentor our student-athletes as well as lend great insight to finding solutions both on and off the field to help elevate us to the top of the American Athletic Conference. Additionally, he has proven to be a very good recruiter and has great connections in Pennsylvania and New Jersey."
Velasco garnered a 9-6-1 record throughout his first season with King's all while going 6-2 in MAC Freedom play which earned the Monarchs a semifinals appearance in the postseason tournament. After a strong debut season, Velasco was named the MAC Freedom Coach of the Year in 2021.
"I'd like to take the time to acknowledge and thank my family as well as colleagues for their continued support and guidance throughout my career. It's that support that has allowed me to experience opportunities such as this one," Velasco said. "I'd like to thank Coach Bryan Green for welcoming me to his staff and allowing me to work alongside this group to fulfill the vision that he has for Temple Soccer. Temple University has such a rich history of success, and it was evident from my first conversation with Coach Green that this was where I wanted to be. The vision and the direction he has for Temple Men's Soccer is exciting, challenging, and will be rewarding. I look forward to getting to work right away with Coach Green, the staff, and this group of guys!"
Before joining King's in the spring of 2021, Velasco gained head coaching experience with both Kean University in 2016 as an interim, and Marywood University where he stayed from 2018 through 2021 before taking the job with the Monarchs. During that 2016 season with Kean, he led the team to a 14-6-1 overall record, earning them a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in six years.
Velasco spent his high school career being named a four-time New Jersey All-State, All-Middlesex Country, and All-Conference athlete. As a result, he was invited to play for the New Jersey State and Regional 1 Olympic Development Program, and he then became a member of the Youth National Team. His collegiate career was spent at both East Stroudsburg and Montclair State having the chance to compete for many conference titles.
The newly appointed assistant coach joins Ryan Sandell as the coaching staff members hired by Bryan Green in his tenure with Temple this far.
Temple is scheduled to start its spring season against Drexel on Friday, March 17 at the Temple Sports Complex. The match is set to begin at 6:30 p.m.
Ep. 10: Temple Homecoming Preview; Volleyball Assistant Coach Taylor Davenport
Tuesday, October 07
Ep. 9: Head Women's Soccer Coach Chris Shaw
Friday, October 03
Ep. 8: Temple Athletics Weekly Recap; Women's Cross Country Runner Amelia Sabatino
Tuesday, September 30
Ep. 7: Temple Field Hockey Alumna Cherifa Howarth
Friday, September 26
