University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Name Jeff Negalha Assistant Coach
February 18, 2005 | Men's Soccer
Feb. 18, 2005
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Former University of South Florida men's soccer assistant Jeff Negalha has been named an assistant coach at the University of North Carolina, Tar Heel head coach Elmar Bolowich announced Friday. Negalha will serve as UNC's goalkeeper coach and will handle various administrative duties.
"Jeff will be a great addition to our staff," said Bolowich. "His primary responsibilities will be working with our goalkeepers and assisting in the office in the day-to-day duties. He did an excellent job at South Florida, and we are looking forward to seeing Jeff continue to excel as a collegiate coach."
During his two seasons at South Florida, Negalha served as an assistant coach and the Bulls' recruiting coordinator. In 2004, he attracted the nation's No. 3 class according to College Soccer News and No. 5 class according to Soccer America, and he helped land the No. 10 class in 2003 according to College Soccer News. Two highlights of the 2004 class included Rodrigo Hidalgo and Christian Jimenez, both U.S. Under-17 National Team members and two of the top-25 recruits in the nation according to Soccer America.
Jimenez left South Florida after one season and was the 14th overall selection in the Major League Soccer SuperDraft by CD Chivas USA. Additionally, Negalha recruit Simon Schoendorf was named a Freshman All-America by Soccer America following the 2004 season.
The Bulls compiled a 10-5-2 overall mark and a 5-3-1 record in Conference USA in 2004 and were 17-13-6 in Negalha's two seasons in Tampa.
Prior to joining the staff at South Florida, Negalha coached at the his alma mater, University of South Carolina-Spartanburg, from 1999-2002 and helped guide the Rifles to an NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearance and a No. 5 national ranking in the final poll of 2002. While at USCS, Negalha helped recruit and coach the Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year in both 2002 and 2003, as well as the league's freshman of the year in `02.
As a player, Negalha was a two-year starter in goal for USCS and led the Rifles to the NCAA quarterfinal round and the NCAA national championship game in 1997 and '98, respectively. In his two-year career at USCS, Negalha started 47 games and recorded 19.5 shutouts while allowing just 33 goals through nearly 3,900 minutes. He also helped the Rifles won two PBAC regular season championships and two conference tournament titles.
Before coming to USCS, Negalha helped NJCAA national power Massasoit Community (Mass.) College to national semifinal and quarterfinal appearances in 1994 and '95. A native of Acushnet, Mass., Negalha holds a Goalkeeper Coaches License from the National Soccer Coaches Association and earned his bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in physical education in December 2000 from USCS.
Negalha replaces John Cone, who left after three seasons to become the goalkeeper trainer with MLS' Kansas City Wizards.
