University of North Carolina Athletics
Jeff Negalha Named Men's Soccer Top Assistant
April 29, 2011 | Men's Soccer
April 29, 2011
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina men's soccer head coach Carlos Somoano announced Thursday that assistant coach Jeff Negalha will remain on staff with the Tar Heels and will become the top assistant. Negalha has been a member of the Carolina coaching staff for six years and has helped lead the Tar Heels to three consecutive NCAA College Cup appearances.
I am delighted that Jeff will continue with our program," head coach Carlos Somoano said. "He is without question one of the top assistants in the country and his talents will ensure our program continues to move forward."
"I am honored and privileged to continue working at the University of North Carolina," Negalha said. "I have had the opportunity to be mentored by a great coach in Elmar Bolowich, and work alongside Carlos on a daily basis the last six years. I look forward to working with Carlos and continue to build on our success of developing student-athletes that excel in the classroom and on the field."
Negalha first came to Chapel Hill in 2005 after a two-year stint at South Florida where he was the top assistant and recruiting coordinator resulting in the nation's No. 3 recruiting class in 2004. Negalha has helped bring in some of the nation's top talent at Carolina joining forces with head coach Carlos Somoano to bring in five consecutive top 11 classes according to numerous publications.
While at Carolina, Negalha has watched over nine All-Americas and 19 All-ACC selections, including a school-record six a year ago, and 14 Major League Soccer SuperDraft selections. Negalha has been a key component in the Tar Heels' success not only on the field but in the classroom as well with 14 Tar Heels earning ACC All-Academic team honors. Junior Kirk Urso was tabbed the 2010 ACC Men's Soccer Academic Athlete of the Year.
"Jeff cares passionately about the success and progress of this program and desires for every individual on the team to develop and contribute to the program's goals and visions," junior Kirk Urso said. "Jeff reaches out to players, desiring that each player succeeds both on and off the field. He is a coach of strong character whose passion and love for the game of soccer bleeds out through his words and actions."
During his first season in Chapel Hill, Carolina goalkeepers combined for a school-record 15 shutouts in 2005, while Justin Hughes led the ACC with a 0.50 goals against average. In 2006, the Tar Heels posted a 0.77 goals against average, and Hughes was selected by the Colorado Rapids in the Major League Soccer SuperDraft.
In 2007, Negalha mentored rookie keeper Tyler Deric to a spot on the ACC All-Freshman Team after posting a 0.94 goals against average and six shutouts in 17 starts. Deric joined the Houston Dynamo of the MLS in 2007 and became the first home-grown player in team history to sign a professional contract.
The 2008 and 2009 seasons saw Brooks Haggerty emerge as the top Tar Heel goaltender as Haggerty helped guide the Tar Heels to back-to-back NCAA College Cup appearances.
The 2010 season saw sophomore Scott Goodwin post an impressive 0.68 goals against average, while notching 11 shutouts on the year as the Tar Heels once again advanced to the NCAA College Cup. Goodwin posted a 15-3-4 record on the year while recording a .773 saves percentage on the year.
Since Negalha arrived in Chapel Hill, the Tar Heels are 81-31-20 with five NCAA Tournament appearances in six years.
Negalha began his coaching career at his alma mater, University of South Carolina-Spartanburg, where he helped guide the Rifles to a NCAA Division II Elite Eight showing in 2002. Negalha was a member of the USCS coaching staff from 1999-2002 after starring for the Rifles in their 1997 and 1998 National Championship game appearances.
Head coach Carlos Somoano will also begin a search for another assistant coach to finish out his initial staff.
