Coaches

Joe Behan

Head Coach

The 2006 season marked Joe Behan’s 11th year as head coach of the New York University men's soccer team. And, in no uncertain terms, it was his (and NYU’s) best season ever.

The Violets advanced to the Final Four in their first return to the NCAA Tournament since becoming a Division III program in 1982. NYU earned its highest national ranking, finishing #4 in the final NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches’ Association of America)/adidas Division III Poll, and set team records for wins (15), longest winning streak (10), and longest unbeaten streak (12, 10-0-2).

Behan’s 2006 squad also established new standards for success in the University Athletic Association (UAA). The Violets ended up in a tie for second place, their highest finish ever, while setting new marks for most wins (4-2-1) and points (13).

Under Behan’s guidance, the 15-4-4 Violets sported their first All-American in 37 years (junior midfielder Jeritt Thayer). The team’s scoring leader and co-captain was named to the NSCAA/adidas Division III Men’s All-America Second Team and the d3kicks.com All-America Third Team. Thayer, who became the first Violet to ever claim UAA Player of the Year accolades, was also named First Team All-UAA and First Team All-Metro Region by both d3kicks.com and NSCAA/adidas.

Several other of Behan’s players also earned post-season honors. Senior defender Nick Katsanos garnered First Team All-UAA honors, as well as First Team All-Metro Region accolades from NSCAA/adidas. Sophomore goalkeeper Chris Wright, who converted the game-winning penalty kick in the Violets’ shootout victory over Stevens Institute of Technology in the NCAA regional semifinals, received First Team All-Metro honors from d3kicks.com, while also earning Honorable Mention All-UAA accolades. Sophomore forward Adam Dhanens, senior forward Max Sachar and senior defender Jon Simos were also named Honorable Mention.

Behan’s players were also winners in the classroom, as 17 team members earned UAA Fall Sport All-Academic honors. Sachar earned First Team ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) Academic All-American – District 1 accolades, while Simos was selected to the Second Team.

In 2005, Behan’s Violets made their debut in the NSCAA/adidas Division III Poll at #24 on September 13 and climbed as high as #8 in the nation on September 27. In 2001, his squad recorded 14 wins and captured the program’s first-ever ECAC Division III Metro Championship.

When Behan was hired as head coach prior to the 1996 season, the team had placed seventh three times and no higher than fifth in UAA competition during the seven prior seasons. Behan’s teams have now posted winning records in five of the past six seasons.

In 1999, Behan and his assistants earned UAA Coaching Staff of the Year honors as his young squad began to re-establish a serious soccer program at NYU. For the first time since 1988, the Violets finished with a winning record (11-6-2). They also tied the NYU record for most UAA points in a season (10) and earned a berth in the ECAC Metro Tournament.

A 1995 graduate of NYU’s College of Arts and Science with a bachelor's degree in English literature, Behan was a standout player for the Violets. As a striker, he was named First Team All-UAA in 1992 and 1993, and earned Honorable Mention accolades in 1994.

Aside from his career at NYU, Behan has extensive playing experience with several area club teams, including the New York Rovers and the New York Shamrocks.

A native of Dublin, Ireland, Behan currently lives in Mineola, NY, with his wife Missy.

Joe Behan Record
Year
W
L
T
UAA
1996-97
3
13
0
0-7
1997-98
6
12
0
0-7
1998-99
7
11
0
3-4
1999-00e
11
6
2
3-3-1
2000-01
7
8
3
3-3-1
2001-02E
14
6
0
3-4
2002-03e
11
7
2
2-4-1
2003-04e
9
6
4
2-4-1
2004-05
7
9
2
1-5-1
2005-06e
11
7
1
3-4
2006-07*
15
4
4
4-2-1
Totals
101
89
18
24-47-6

* - NCAA Final Four
E - ECAC Metro Champions
e - ECAC Metro Tournament

Nick Penze

Assistant

The 2007 season is Nick Penze’s sixth as an assistant coach with the NYU men’s soccer team. The Violets have produced a 53-33-13 overall record during that span, including last season’s 15-4-4 mark.

In 2006, Penze helped lead the Violets to the Final Four in their first return to the NCAA Tournament since becoming a Division III program in 1982. In addition, NYU earned its highest national ranking, finishing #4 in the final National Soccer Coaches’ Association of America/adidas Division III Poll, and set team records for wins, longest winning streak (10), and longest unbeaten streak (12, 10-0-2).

Penze was also part of a coaching staff that experienced unparalleled success in the University Athletic Association (UAA). The Violets ended up in a tie for second place, their highest finish ever, while setting new marks for most wins (4-2-1) and points (13).

In his first season with NYU, Penze helped lead the team to an overall 11-7-2 record and to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Metro Tournament Championship semifinals.

Overall, the Violets have produced winning records in four of Penze’s five seasons and have made three ECAC Metro Tournament appearances (2002, 2003, 2005).

“Coach Penze has become a big part of the success of our program,” says head coach Joe Behan. “He has a fantastic work ethic that is ever-present both on the field and off.”

A former goalkeeper at Western Illinois University, Penze’s main responsibility with the Violets involves working with the team’s goalkeeper. Under Penze’s tutelage in 2006, Violets’ sophomore netminder Chris Wright posted a 0.72 goals against average, recorded 77 saves and 11 shutouts, earned Honorable Mention All-UAA accolades, and was selected d3kicks.com First Team All-Metropolitan Region.

Penze majored in biology at Western Illinois and played for the Leathernecks’ soccer team from 1989-93. A former All-Conference, All-Area and team MVP at Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, IL, Penze also played for the Chicago Kickers and Chicago Sockers Football Clubs.

In addition to his duties at NYU, Penze also works as a sales engineer for a Chicago-based manufacturing company.

A native of Brunswick, Georgia, Penze resides in Manhattan with his wife Paige and son Dylan.

Thomaz Stefanowski

Assistant

The 2006 season marked Tomasz Stefanowski’s fourth as an assistant coach of the New York University men’s soccer team. Among his many duties with the Violets, Stefanowski is responsible for training sessions, game analysis and recruiting.

Last season, Stefanowski helped lead the Violets to the Final Four in their first return to the NCAA Tournament since becoming a Division III program in 1982. In addition, NYU earned its highest national ranking, finishing #4 in the final National Soccer Coaches’ Association of America/adidas Division III Poll, and set team records for wins (15), longest winning streak (10), and longest unbeaten streak (12, 10-0-2).

Stefanowski was also part of a coaching staff that experienced unparalleled success in the University Athletic Association (UAA). The Violets ended up in a tie for second place, their highest finish ever, while setting new marks for most wins (4-2-1) and points (13).

In 2005, the Violets posted an 11-7-1 overall record, a 3-4 mark in the UAA and qualified for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Metro Tournament Championship.

In 2003, Stefanowski helped lead the Violets to an overall record of 9-6-4 and to the quarterfinals of the ECAC Tournament.

“Coach Stefanowski’s playing experience with NYU helps our team in many ways on and off the field,” said NYU head coach Joe Behan. “Tom's appetite for the game itself and his ambition for the program's success give us an extra edge.”

A 1997 graduate of NYU’s Leonard N. School of Business with a bachelor of science degree in finance and international business, Stefanowski was a four-year starter in the midfield for the Violets’ soccer team. He played for Behan as a senior, served as team captain, and earned the NYU Academic Achievement Award.

Stefanowski has additional coaching experience as the Coach/ Founder/ Manager of the Gotham Football Club, a team that consists of former NYU players. The squad plays in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League Third Division, the Urban Soccer League, the Brooklyn United Soccer League, and the Metro Soccer League. Stefanowski also coached an under-16 team in the Cosmopolitan League in 2001-02.

Stefanowski, who earned an MBA in finance from NYU in 2005, also serves as a director at Duff & Phelps, LLC.

A native of Elmhurst, NY, Stefanowski currently resides in Hoboken, New Jersey.

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Gregory Vicenty

Assistant

Gregory Vicenty, is in his second season as an assistant coach of the New York University men’s soccer team, is responsible for the team’s training sessions and physical conditioning.

In his first season at NYU, Vicenty’s training methods proved instrumental as the Violets reached the Final Four in their first return to the NCAA Tournament since becoming a Division III program in 1982. In addition, NYU earned its highest national ranking, finishing #4 in the final National Soccer Coaches’ Association of America/adidas Division III Poll, and set team records for wins, longest winning streak (10), and longest unbeaten streak (12, 10-0-2).

Vicenty was also part of a coaching staff that experienced unparalleled success in the University Athletic Association (UAA). The Violets ended up in a tie for second place, their highest finish ever, while setting new marks for most wins (4-2-1) and points (13).

“Vicenty’s addition to our staff was a key element in the success we experienced last season,” said NYU head coach Joe Behan.

A former Infantry Staff Sergeant in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Vicenty was with the United States Army for 17 years.

In addition to his soccer coaching, Vicenty has an extensive background in boxing. He was a member of the United States Army Boxing Team for nine years and is a two-time Golden Gloves Champion, winning in 1978 and 1979.

Currently, Vicenty also works as a personal trainer. He provides private soccer instruction in strength conditioning and endurance, while also offering weight and diet consultations. Vicenty also provides training at Mendez Boxing Gym for amateur and professional gym members and acts as a second corner man at various professional boxing events in both New York and Washington D.C.

A New York City native, Vicenty resides in the Bronx.

Jon Simos

Assistant

After a stellar four-year playing career at New York University, Jon Simos joins the Violets’ men’s soccer coaching staff.

Simos was an important part of NYU’s defense last season as the program reached the NCAA Division III Final Four and established school records for wins (15-4-4), winning streak (10) and unbeaten streak (12, 10-0-2). He earned Honorable Mention All-University Athletic Association (UAA) accolades and garnered College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA)/ESPN the Magazine Second Team College Division Academic All-America - District 1 honors.

Simos is a native of Valley Stream, NY.

Thomas McPhillips

Assistant

Thomas McPhillips is in his first season as an assistant coach with the New York University men’s soccer program. His primary responsibilities include game analysis and assisting student-athletes with the tactical side of the game.

McPhillips is a longtime friend of NYU head coach Joe Behan, as the two played together with the New York Shamrocks of the Cosmopolitan League in the 1990’s.

Born in Rochester, NY, McPhillips moved to Kilkenny, Ireland, at the age of five and lived abroad before coming to New York when he was 20. He was a standout center midfielder in the Kilkenny & District League, earning league Most Valuable Player honors in 1979 as a 16-year-old.

McPhillips graduated from the Carlow Institute of Technology in Carlow, Ireland, in 1986 with a diploma in construction management. He currently works as a construction manager with a general contracting firm in Brooklyn, NY.

McPhillips resides in East Williston, NY, with his wife Mary and their five children: Kevin, Thomas Jr., Kathryn, James, and Grace.