Brandeis Alumni, Family and Friends

Brandeis University men’s soccer coach Mike Coven retired on Dec. 31 after 44 years on the sidelines of one of the most successful athletics programs in NCAA Division III history.

Coven, who guided his team to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament this season and won a national championship with the Judges in 1976, ranks sixth all time in Division III men’s soccer coaching wins and is 10th among all NCAA soccer coaches regardless of division. Only five NCAA men’s soccer coaches have had longer tenures than Coven, and only two of those also served their entire careers at one school.

“Brandeis has been a special place for me,” Coven said. “The support I’ve seen over the years – from the administration, from alumni and from the student body – has made this place into a real soccer school. I will miss it tremendously.”

Brandeis Director of Athletics Lynne Dempsey ’93 praised Coven’s contributions to Brandeis.

“I’ve worked with Coach Coven in so many different roles over the years,” said Dempsey. “He’s been a great coach, a great colleague, a great mentor and a great friend. I can’t think of anyone who is as passionate about his job or about Brandeis University. ​This was such an amazing season, and I know he is incredibly proud of the return trip to the Final Four.”

The University named Gabe Margolis, a member of Coven’s coaching staff at Brandeis for 11 years, as the ninth coach in program history. Margolis has served as associate coach for the last three years.

Since Margolis joined the Brandeis coaching staff in 2006, the Judges have posted a record of 146-67-20 (.670 winning percentage). Brandeis has posted at least 10 wins in eight of his 11 seasons, reaching the NCAA Tournament in each of the past five seasons, and winning three ECAC New England championships.

Read more about Coach Coven.
View a gallery of photos from Coach Coven’s career.
Read more about Coach Margolis.