Head coach Dr. Dave Masur has announced the promotion of David Janezic to associate head coach and the addition of Ryan Arvin to the St. John’s University men’s staff as an assistant coach.

Janezic begins his fifth year at the school. With Janezic on staff, St. John’s has finished .500 or better in all but one season, highlighted by a 2019 campaign that saw the Red Storm reach the NCAA Division I Tournament Round of 16. That season, the Red Storm finished with a 14-5-1 record, rising to as high as fourth in the United Soccer Coaches poll and No.1 1 in the RPI.

“This is a very well deserved promotion for Dave,” Masur said. “During his time with the program, he has not only made very noticeable strides in our recruiting efforts, but he has made key contributions to our training and game-planning efforts that have translated to on-field success. I look forward to working alongside Dave as we continue to do great things on and off the field.”

Janezic has made a huge impact on the Red Storm’s recruiting efforts. Since his arrival in 2017, 12 Johnnies have been named to All-Big East teams with four student-athletes earning major end-of-season awards from the conference.

“I’m extremely thankful to Dr. Masur, athletic director Mike Cragg and the administration at St. John’s University for the opportunity to continue to help build the men’s soccer program,” Janezic said. “I am humbled and honored to be recognized for my contributions to the program. I can say with certainty that I have become a better coach and mentor because of Dr. Masur. While I’m certainly proud of what we have accomplished over the last four years, our job is far from over as we look to build St. John’s into the best program that it can be.”

Arvin comes to Queens following six seasons on staff at St. Bonaventure University, where he helped transform the Bonnies program from a conference cellar dweller into a perennial league contender. After inheriting a team that registered one victory during the season before his arrival, Arvin helped turned the Bonnies into a postseason team by year three, as the squad went .500 in conference play and earned a berth in the Atlantic 10 Tournament for the first time in nearly a decade.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Ryan to the St. John’s family,” Masur said. “Ryan has made a name for himself in the coaching community as a tireless recruiter during his time at St. Bonaventure. Additionally, we think that he will be able to help us in the defensive third of the field given his proven track record of developing goalkeepers.”

The Red Storm will kick off its season on Aug. 26, when it travels to South Carolina to meet Atlantic Coast Conference powerhouse Clemson University. The Johnnies will open its home slate on Aug. 30 against UAlbany at Belson Stadium.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.