John Saleska named CUW Men’s Soccer coach

MEQUON, Wis. – Concordia University Wisconsin Director of Athletics Dr. Rob Barnhill has announced the hiring of John Saleska as head coach for the men's soccer program.

"It is with great pleasure that I introduce John Saleska as our new Head Men's Soccer Coach," said Barnhill. "John is obviously no stranger to our program having played here and served as an assistant coach for the past several years. John has matured as a young coach and has developed into a polished recruiter, great tactician, and teacher of the game. I am excited for John and his family as he leads our soccer program into the future."

Saleska is the fifth head coach in program history.

"I would like to thank Dr. Barnhill for trusting me with the responsibility of taking over the CUW men's soccer program," said Saleska. "Our new staff has a huge challenge ahead of us as we work to continue the amazing legacy my father has built the last 26 years. We are excited to maintain everything that is great about Concordia soccer while at the same time putting our own stamp on the program."

Saleska has served as the assistant coach of the CUW men's soccer program since 2015.

"Concordia is an uncommon university with a mission to help develop students in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world," said Saleska. "Carrying out this mission on and off the field by coaching and mentoring the young men who play for CUW will be the guiding principle of the soccer program."

Saleska was hired as the full-time Director of Soccer Operations for both the men's and women's soccer programs in March 2012 before transitioning to being an assistant with just the men's program in 2015. He previously served as the graduate assistant coach and played four years for the Falcons, three as the starting right back. His playing resume includes three-consecutive conference championships and back-to-back second-round appearances in the NCAA Tournament.

Before his time at CUW, he was a three-year varsity defender at West Bend East High School and part of that school's first-ever Little 10 championship squad.

Joining Saleska on the staff as an assistant coach will be Ben Gyuricza.

"I feel extremely honored and blessed with the opportunity John Saleska has offered me to be his full-time assistant," said Gyuricza. "For the past four years, I have worked under Coach Tom Saleska and John Saleska as a second assistant. In this time, we have achieved two conference titles and a national ranking. I have learned from them what it takes to be successful at the collegiate level. I am excited and motivated to help push our soccer program to even greater heights and become a national power within D3 Soccer."

Saleska is excited to get the ball rolling with coach Gyuricza.

"I am excited to welcome Ben into a full-time assistant role this fall," said Saleska. "His passion for both the Concordia mission and the men's soccer program is contagious.  Ben's coaching resume is outstanding but his leadership ability on and off the field are what really made him the perfect fit for this job. He has played a huge role in the success of the program the last four years as a part-time assistant, and I am confident he is ready to take the next step and help push our players and program to the next level."

Saleska is married to Tara and the couple has four sons: Owen, Josiah and twins, Micah and Luke.