By: John Jay Sports Information
Zade Haobsh has been named the interim head men's soccer coach at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Interim Director of Athletics
Mark Francis has announced.
"I am delighted that Zade is the interim head men's soccer as he was the assistant on the Bloodhound championship team," Francis said. "He is best suited to transition the team from the loss of its head coach. Zade brings experience as a DI and DIII player as well as a club coach. I look forward to working with him to maintain and advance the academic and athletic success of the men's soccer team."
Haobsh served as an assistant coach for three seasons before the 2020 season was canceled due to the pandemic. In his role, he primarily worked with the goalkeepers and defenders.
"After three seasons of building a positive, winning culture with [former head coach] Ridi Dauti, I'm excited to continue the work to continue to push the Bloodhounds to further successes," said Haobsh. "We have a solid group of returning players who are looking forward to getting back onto the field and we have some talented recruits who are sure to have a big impact when CUNY play resumes."
During his tenure, he coached goalkeepers Alexandros Taliotis and
Steven Towler. In 2017, Taliotis earned CUNYAC second team all-star honors. In the next season, Towler was recognized a conference first team all-star and the program's most improved player. In 2019, Towler was once again named a CUNYAC all-star and was a major contributor to the team who captured the program's first CUNYAC championship. In the postseason, he allowed only two goals in three games (and 310 minutes of play) including a pair of victories in penalty kicks in the semifinals and title game.
"I am excited to see the continued growth of the soccer program and the athletic department under the leadership of
Zade Haobsh and Interim Director of Athletics
Mark Francis," former head coach Dauti said.
Haobsh is also the first assistant coach of New York Athletic Club's (NYAC) men's soccer team. They compete in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL); the fourth tier of the US Soccer Pyramid, below the MLS and USL I and II. Goalkeepers that Haobsh have coached at NYAC have come from top NCAA Division I and II programs and have gone on to play professionally in Europe.
As a player, he minded the net for the NJ Stallions leading them to the 2007 NJ State Championship. Upon entering college, he played two years at the NCAA Division I level at Siena College before transferring to Hunter College. As a Hawk, he won the CUNYAC Championship and registered a school-record 11 shutouts in the 2010 season, leading the conference in every goalkeeping category.
He currently lives in Brooklyn, where he also works with the nonprofit organization, Grow Brooklyn, managing a free tax preparation service for low to middle income individuals.
