SCOTT BAKER
Head Coach
Scott Baker is in his second season as head men's soccer coach at Rowan University.
Baker is just the third head coach in the history of the sport at the University. He was an assistant coach for the Profs from 2012-13. In 2014, Rowan was 10-9 overall and 4-5 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. Three players received All-Conference honorable mention.
Baker has been with the Pittsgrove Soccer Club since 2013 as director of scouting and as a head coach. He is also the Director of the TIP Pathway to College program and College Coach Relations for MSSL/EDP. In addition, Baker is the owner and director of RUSA, a soccer training company that works with several clubs and high schools throughout the northeast region.
Baker previously served as the director of training for the Team Boca Soccer Club from 2003-12. Baker was the associate head coach/director of training for the club’s professional team, the Boca Blast, in 2012. While with the club, he led several teams. Baker’s teams were state finalists three times, including winning the state championship in 2010. He was the director of athletics, director of the boys’ and girls’ soccer academy and head of the health and physical education department at Boca Prep International School from 2011-12. Prior, Baker was the director of athletics and head boys’ and girls’ soccer coach at Pope John Paul II High School from 2008-11. He was selected the 2010 Palm Beach County Coach of the Year by the Palm Beach Post.
From 2006-08, Baker taught health and physical education at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. During that time, he was the assistant athletic director and head girls’ soccer coach. In 2007, Baker was named the Broward County Coach of the Year by the Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald. He guided the girls’ soccer team to the 2007 6A State Championship and 2007 and 2008 District Championships. Baker’s teams were ranked in the top five in the country.
In addition, Baker was the head men’s and women’s soccer coach at Defiance College from 2005-06. He served as the head women’s soccer coach at Flagler College from 2003-04. During that time, the Saints were ranked in the top 25 and posted the program’s best finish in school history. Baker was also an assistant coach for the men’s soccer team.
During the 2002-03 school year, Baker was the head men’s soccer coach at Brookdale Community College, which finished in the top five in the country. The Jersey Blues were the conference and regional champions and a national finalist. Baker was chosen the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Regional and National Coach of the Year. He was the head girls’ soccer coach at Jackson Memorial High School from 1998-2002. Baker spent one season (1997-98) as the head women’s soccer coach at New Jersey City University.
From 1994-96, he worked as a health and physical education teacher at Sacred Heart High School. Baker was also the head boys’ soccer coach. During the 1993-94 school year, Baker guided the Delsea Regional High School girls’ junior varsity team to an undefeated season. He was the assistant varsity coach and helped the team to the 1993 state title. From 1992-97, Baker worked with the New Jersey Select Club Team and helped lead them to the state semifinals in 1994. He holds a NSCAA National license and a United States Soccer Federation license.
Baker graduated from the University in 1993 with a bachelor of arts in health and physical education. He later earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Phoenix. While at Rowan, Baker was a four-year starter for the soccer team. He was a member of the 1990 NCAA Division III Championship team and served as a captain his senior season. Baker earned NJAC All-Conference first team honors in 1990 and was on the second team in 1991. He participated in all 90 games that the team played in his four years and totaled 46 points with 13 goals and 20 assists.
JUSTIN ABBEY
Assistant Coach
Justin Abbey is in his second season on the men’s soccer coaching staff. He played for the Profs from 1993-97 and is the program’s all-time leader in assists (45).
Following his career at Rowan, Abbey was drafted by the Baltimore Blast and played professionally for the Delaware Wizards in 1998. He also has 10 years of coaching experience at the club level and is the Director at FC Copa Academy.
JOHN LOIODICE
Assistant Coach
John Loiodice is in his eighth season on the men's soccer coaching staff. He is the recruiting coordinator and director and game day operations.
A 2010 graduate of Rowan, Loiodice currently serves as the head boys coach for New Jersey ODP. Previous to Rowan, Loiodice was the head soccer coach at Bishop Eustace and Triton Regional High School where he lead both programs to conference championships. He has also had successful stints at the PDL level with Ocean City Nor Easters as head coach of the U23's. He was a two-year starter at Rowan (2009-10) and an All-American at Brookdale Community College in 2008. He is a USSF C license and National Youth License coach.
MICHAEL OSSOWSKI
Assistant Coach
More info coming soon!
Goalkeeping
Rowan Men’s Soccer, formerly Glassboro State, has fostered a hardworking, successful goalkeeping pedigree to highlight our program's success. While holding our keepers to the highest standard, 5 times they have been recognized as Goalkeeper of the Year; on one occasion leading the way to a National Championship in 1990. In the last 5 years, 3 keepers received NJAC All-Conference Recognition, with 2 going on to semi-professional careers after their time here. At the Rowan Experience camps, it’s the goal of the goalkeeping staff to provide a competitive, preseason style environment in which players will be trained in accordance to the standards we expect of all Men’s Soccer goalkeepers. Players will be evaluated on their athletic ability, technique, and understanding of the unique position of goalkeeper in the modern game.
