From Brandeis University Athletics
Brandeis University has announced that Gabe Margolis has been named the ninth head men's soccer coach in program history. Margolis has been on the Judges' sideline for the past 11 years as an assistant to recently-retired Mike Coven, including the last three seasons as associate head coach.
"I am excited to make this announcement," said Director of Athletics Lynne Dempsey '93. "Gabe has been a vital part of the success of the program over the past decade. It's been wonderful to watch his relationship with Brandeis student-athletes and alumni grow over the years. I am confident that he will continue to maintain the standards that we have come to expect from Brandeis soccer."
"I want to thank Lynne Dempsey and the entire Administration for the opportunity to be the head men's soccer coach at Brandeis University," Margolis said. "In particular I want to say a very special thank you to coach Coven. I came to Brandeis 11 years ago to work for Coach and very quickly he became much more than just a boss, he became a great friend. It was an absolute honor to work for and with him for the last decade, and I am very excited to continue the proud tradition that he has established at Brandeis over the last 44 years".
Since Margolis joined the Brandeis coaching staff in 2006, the Judges have posted a record of 146-67-20 for a .670 winning percentage. Brandeis has posted at least 10 wins in eight of his 11 seasons, reaching the NCAA Division III Tournament in each of the past five seasons, and winning three ECAC Division III New England championships.
Twice, Margolis was named to the University Athletic Association (UAA) Coaching Staff of the Year: in 2012, when Brandeis won its first-ever share of the conference title, and in 2015, when they claimed the league crown outright for the first time. Coven was also named NSCAA New England Coach of the Year in each of those seasons. This year, Brandeis reached the NCAA Division III Final Four for the fourth time in program history, and first since 1984.
Individually, Margolis has helped recruit and coach six All-American players, two UAA Players of the Year, four NSCAA Scholar All-Americans and one CoSIDA Academic All-American. Brandeis teams have earned NSCAA All-Academic team honors in each of the past four seasons.
"We will certainly miss Coach Coven, but there is no one more deserving and prepared to lead the program than Coach Margolis," said senior member of the team Josh Berg. "His passion and commitment to Brandeis soccer is second to none and the players are excited to have him lead us." Berg, from Weymouth, Mass., will be returning to play for Margolis next season after missing his sophomore season to injury.
Off the field, Margolis has been active with Brandeis's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) since 2012, including helping to start BMEN, founded by student-athletes to encourage a commitment to gender and racial equality across social divides on campus. He has also been involved with Grassroot Soccer to raise funds and awareness for the international adolescent health organization that educates, inspires and mobilizes young people to overcome their greatest health challenges and live healthier, more productive lives.
Margolis holds NSCAA Advanced National and USSF B coaching licenses. He has coached for FC Boston over the last eight years in both their development academy and non-academy teams, winning State championships with the U-18 and U-19 age groups.
A 2005 graduate of Wheaton (Mass.) College, Margolis came to Brandeis after serving as an assistant coach at local Division I institutions Boston University and Northeastern. A three year starter at Wheaton after transferring from Boston College, Margolis helped lead the Lyons to the NCAA Division III Final Four during his junior season and the Sweet 16 as a senior. Margolis is a native of Brookline and a 2000 graduate of Beaver Country Day School.