James Hamilton鈥檚 development of the Iona Gaels men鈥檚 soccer team
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. 聽— There鈥檚 an eye for any opportunity to improve if soccer is the sport at a head coach’s disposal. In 2016, the Iona Gaels men鈥檚 soccer team signed James Hamilton as their new head coach. He was a former assistant coach during the 2015 season.
Each season has exposed Hamilton to shortcomings and greater heights with his hands-on approach to execute smart plays on the field.
According to , Hamilton’s fifth season as head coach, spring 2021, consisted entirely of conference opponents due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Iona wrapped up the regular season with a record of 2-3-1, earning victories over Monmouth and Siena. The Gaels entered the postseason as the No. 7 seed, traveling to face No. 2 Rider. This marked the third season in a row that these two teams faced each other in the opening round of the conference postseason. Iona鈥檚 season was finished after a loss to the Broncs.
For the 2021 season, Iona named 12 student-athletes to the MAAC All-Academic Team, marking the third straight year that 10 or more athletes were added to the league’s all-academic squad.
Hamilton has the heart of a lion and it traces back to his fourth season leading the Gaels to a 14-6-1 overall record. The Gaels captured their first ever Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship and since then have been on the road to development.
In his earlier days at Dominican College, Hamilton proved champions are made instead of birthed. Hamilton became a four-year starter at the Orangeburg, New York School in Rockland County. Hamilton also helped lead his team to two NCAA Division II championship games.
Versatility is a gift and when a student of the game has the experience, people like Hamilton can help inspire young soccer players to exemplify leadership.
, Hamilton was responsible for the improvement of junior Marcos Nunez and Sophomore Daniel Huertas. It鈥檚 impressive when two prolific players in their own right won the 2015 Rookie of the Year and MAAC Offensive Player.
In 2020, Hamilton last spoke on how he planned to keep his team grounded moving forward with self-conditioning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
鈥淚鈥檝e had some individual calls with the players, with small groups and just trying to stay connected and keep reminding them that whether they鈥檙e on campus, at home or in apartments, they鈥檙e still representing Iona soccer and the institution at large,鈥� .
Hamilton has since acquired eight new transfers from different colleges to help Iona remain talented and learn the true nature of discipline. Federrico Russo is a senior who previously attended Lindenwood and he has a chance to hone his skills as a midfielder. There鈥檚 no denying the greatness of Hamilton who influenced a soccer team that once couldn鈥檛 secure a winning record.
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