John Velasco

  • Title
    Head Men's Soccer Coach/Facilities Manager/Assistant Women's Soccer Coach (Goalkeepers)
  • Email
    jvelasco@marywood.edu
  • Phone
    2290
John Velasco enters his second season as head coach of Marywood University's men's soccer program, leading the Pacers to the Atlantic East Conference playoffs in his first season at the helm. Velasco also serves as the Facilities Manager for the Athletics and Recreation Department and assists the women's soccer program, primarily working with goalkeepers. 

Velasco previously was a head coach at Kean University in 2016. He led the Cougars to an at-large NCAA tournament bid after finishing in the top 10 nationally in goals, assists, points, shots and shots on goal. He finished with a 14-6-1 record and led the team to its first NCAA tournament since 2010. He coached one All-Region, six All-Conference, and one CoSIDA Academic All-District.

In 2017, Velasco was an assistant men’s soccer coach at Division II Bloomfield College in New Jersey. Under a first-year head coach, he helped guide the Bears to a 12-4-2 overall record and a CACC semifinal appearance.

During the early part of his career, he also served as an assistant coach at Kean, as an Academy staff coach, and as part of the First Team support staff with the Columbus Crew SC of Major League Soccer.

With the Columbus Crew, Velasco assisted in the tactical, technical and developmental strategy of academy players, in addition to overseeing the MLS first team’s budgeting for apparel-related products. He also served as the player-to-coach translator for the first team while assisting the Crew SC with their College ID clinics and summer college programs. He was a part of the Columbus Crew staff during its 2015 MLS Cup appearance. 

A former four-time New Jersey All-State, All-Middlesex County, and All-Conference selection in high school, Velasco was part of the New Jersey State and Region 1 Olympic Development Program team, while also selected as part of the Youth National Team player pool. Velasco played at both East Stroudsburg University and Montclair State University where he was part of multiple conference championships. He also played for the Ironbound Express (USL/PDL) and the New Jersey Blaze (NPSL).

Velasco has also worked under Nike Soccer, providing training sessions throughout the East Coast as the Regional Tour Manager. In addition, he's worked with Nike's The Chance Academy soccer program (North America) as a scout on the east coast, identifying players from both academy and non-academy teams such as NY Red Bulls, Players Development Academy (N.J.), Bronx United (N.Y.), NY Kosmos FC (N.Y.), BW Gottschee Academy (N.Y.), Bethesda SC (Md.), Charlotte Soccer Academy (N.C.) , Concord Fire (Ga.), and Georgia United. Velasco also worked in conjunction with the Youth U.S Soccer Training Centers and Combines through the Nike Soccer Programs.
 
Velasco earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education and Adult Fitness from Montclair State University. He is trilingual in English, Spanish and Portuguese. He resides in Dunmore.
 
Velasco at Marywood
2018 1-13-1 (0-5-1 Atlantic East) | Atlantic East Playoffs
2019 6-12 (1-5 Atlantic East)
Totals (2 Seasons*) 7-25-1 (.227)
*Not including a 14-6-1 record in one season as head coach at Kean.