Carvalho tabbed as coach of Cal Maritime
Ex-assistant takes over for Konstantinopoulos
Cal Maritime University is normally in the middle of its men’s soccer season and California Pacific Conference sche du le ri g ht now.
This year, however, everything is different as the coronavirus pandemic pushed the season to March and April of 2021 with a condensed league schedule. The extra time did allow the Vallejo school to find a new head coach.
On Thursday, Director of Athletics and Physical Education Karen Yoder announced the hiring of Mike Carvalho to lead the program.
Carvalho is a former St. Patrick- St. Vincent junior varsity head coach and assistant varsity coach for the Bruins as well as an assistant women’s soccer coach at Cal Maritime.
The Southern Illinois University at Carbondale Alumni has obtained all three United Soccer Coach Credentials ( NSCAA National Diploma, NSCAA Advanced National Diploma, and NSCA A Premier Diploma) as well as the highest United Soccer Coaches and University of Delaware certification, the Master Coach Diploma. It is the highest diploma offered by United Soccer Coaches.
“As the new head coach, I am looking forward to leading this fine group of cadets,” Carvalho said in a news release. “We have many talented and skilled players. I want them to learn how to play together as a team following a predefined game plan. I look forward to teaching our players a game that I truly love and appreciate.”
Carvalho will replace George Konstantinopoulos who spent the past four seasons as the head coach. The program has struggled for some time with last season’s team finishing 0-15 overall, 0-8 in the Cal Pac. In four seasons, the team won just four of 49 matches.
Carvalho has coached hundreds of players in youth and adult competitive soccer, working with over 30 club and high school teams while winning
“I want to develop a program where I can build on the talents and skills of our new and returning players by building a structured soccer program ... I believe every player needs to be a student of the game.” – Mike Carvalho, men’s soccer coach, Cal Maritime.
three state cups and several league championships. Carvalho has been the assistant coach for the women’s soccer team here at Cal Maritime under Emily Scheese since the inaugural season in 2018.
“I want to develop a program where I can build on the talents and skills of our new and returning players by building a structured soccer program,” the Benicia resident said. “I hope to accomplish this by implementing a methodology of predictive play, constant player communication on and off the field, and to use the best practices in technical, tactical, and systemic soccer training. I believe every player needs to be a student of the game.
“They need to understand not only the roles and responsibilities of each position,” Carvalho added. “But how all the positions can work together to defend against opponent attacks and how to transition into an attack to develop scoring opportunities.”
Heading into his first season as head coach, Carvalho has learned plenty under Scheese, noting the obstacles and challenges of developing a new program that has already prepped him for this new role.
“Emily has been a great mentor and she allowed me the opportunity to help develop the women’s program with her,” he said. “From the beginning, she encouraged my participation in program planning and in coaching. I still remember our first practice and how excited the players and coaches were to be part of the school’s first women’s soccer team. I’ve had the opportunity to integrate all I have learned from coach Scheese into my coaching philosophy.”
Cal Maritime is expected to announce new head coaches for the men’s and women’s basketball programs as well.
“Emily has been a great mentor and she allowed me the opportunity to help develop the women’s program with her.” — Mike Carvalho, Cal Maritime men’s soccer coach, on women’s soccer coach Emily Scheese.