James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Virginia Northeast

Public Large Developing team

I'm interested in this program!

Coaches

Email coach

Joshua Walters Sr

James Madison women’s soccer Head Coach Joshua Walters, Sr. signed a four-year contract extension through the 2025 season, as announced by Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne on January 26, 2022.

Walters' fifth season directing the JMU program saw the Dukes go through their first season in the Sun Belt Conference. The team finished 12-4-5 and set team numerous defensive records on the way to the fourth seed in the conference tournament and an appearance in the championship for a third time in five seasons. Alexandra Blom was named a First Team All-Southeast Region, the program's first All-Region First Teamer since 2010, with Brittany Munson and Amanda Attanasi garnering Second Team honors and Lexi Vanderlinden being recognized on the Third Team. Blom and Munson also garnered All-Sun Belt First Team accolades, with Blom being recognized as the Goalkeeper of the Year. Vanderlinden and Soleil Flores also were named All-Conference, earning Second Team honors.

Completing his fourth season during 2021, the Dukes were back to playing a full fall schedule and finished 9-9-1 after starting 1-4-1. The Dukes ended the regular season on a four-match winning streak to secure the No. 3 seed in the CAA Tournament. Four Dukes were named All-CAA at the end of the season, with Ebony Wiseman leading the way on First Team. Ginger Deel and Brittany Munson landed on the Second Team and Amanda Attanasi was named Third Team and All-Rookie. Munson and Lexi Vanderlinden earned All-Tournament nods.

Walters' third season at the helm was during a shortened spring 2021 season where the Dukes finished 1-3-2. Ginger Deel, Ebony Wiseman, and Lexi Vanderlinden all were named to All-CAA teams.

In his second season, the Dukes finished 9-12-1 and earned the No. 6 seed for the CAA Tournament after beginning the season 2-7. The Dukes then took down the No. 2 and 3 seeds in the tournament before making their first appearance in the CAA Finals since 2015 where they took on top-seeded Hofstra.

Four Dukes were named to All-CAA teams with Ebony Wiseman being named to the First Team and Iris Rabot, Ginger Deel, and Wiseman earned All-Tournament nods.

In just his first season with the Dukes, Walters immediately made his presence felt, leading the Dukes to massive turnaround as JMU turned a 1-6 start to the season into an 11-8-1 campaign that saw it capture the 2018 CAA Regular Season Championships along the way.

Five different Dukes were named to All-CAA teams in the title-winning campaign, highlighted by Haley Crawford and Ginger Deel earning First Team nods, while Walters himself was named the CAA Coach of the Year in just his first year at the helm.

Walters took over for Dave Lombardo, who retired in November of 2017 after 28 years as the only head coach in JMU women's soccer history and ranked 12th in NCAA Division I history with 415 career victories, including 337 at James Madison.

For the five seasons prior to his arrival in Harrisonburg, Walters served on the coaching staff as recruiting coordinator at UCLA, spending the first four seasons as assistant coach before being elevated to associate head coach in 2017. His time in Los Angeles started with the 2013 NCAA Division I national championship, while he was personally recognized as the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Pacific Region Assistant Coach of the Year. As recruiting coordinator, he assembled the No. 1 incoming class in the country in 2016 and followed that with the No. 2 class nationally in 2017. The Bruins went 85-20-11 during his five seasons in blue and gold.

Prior to UCLA, Walters coached one year at UCF in a similar capacity as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. He helped guide the Knights to a 17-5-2 overall record and the first Conference USA title in program history. UCF advanced to the NCAA Tournament and established program-best marks for fewest goals allowed (12) and most shutouts (15), while ending the season ranked 20th nationally.

For two seasons (2010-2011), Walters was the director of soccer operations at Florida State, with responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the program, including team travel, gameday operations and community involvement. The Seminoles were ACC champions and reached the national semifinals in 2011 after reaching the NCAA quarterfinals in 2010.

Walters began his collegiate coaching journey on the staff at Houston for the 2005 and 2006 seasons before going on to two seasons as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Utah State for the 2007, 2008 and 2009 campaigns, including a pair of WAC Championships in 2008 and 2009. Along with his duties for Utah State, Walters also earned positions on both the Region IV and Utah Olympic Development Program (ODP) staffs.

A 10-year military veteran, Walters served 12 months as a First Lieutenant with Brigade S2 (Military Intelligence) of the Florida National Guard during Operation Enduring Freedom V in Bagram, Afghanistan. While in Afghanistan, Walters set up and directed a soccer clinic, as well as a series of games, for Afghan youths. He later made a presentation on his experiences to the 2005 NSCAA Convention and was awarded the NSCAA Honorary All-American Award. During his military deployment, Walters received the Bronze Star for Valor and Service, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal.

Walters' coaching career started in Tallahassee at Godby High School, where he coached from 1998-2000. He was the head coach and an assistant coach at Lawton Chiles High School in Tallahassee from 2000-05.Additionally, he was the Top of Florida Soccer Club until 2001 and head coach of the Tallahassee United Futbol Club in 2002.

"I can't wait to get started with the team, get to know them and find ways we can grow together," Walters said. "I believe in developing players as decision makers, athletes and leaders. During the interview process, I could feel a hunger to win from this group of players. This spring will be about fueling that desire and getting us ready to compete in the CAA."

Walters received his associate's degree of the arts from Marion Military Institute in 1998. He then received his bachelor of arts in sports management and graduated cum laude from Columbia Southern University in Alabama in 2004. He holds an NSCAA Premier Diploma, as well as NSCAA Goalkeeper Advance National license.

A native of Winston-Salem, N.C., Walters is married to the former Amy Lucas, a former Ole Miss soccer player. They have four young children, Joshua Jr. ("J.J."), Rylan, Avonlea and Carolina.

Email coach

Rob Donnenwirth

James Madison head coach Joshua Walters, Sr. announced the hiring of Rob Donnenwirth as assistant coach on July 23, 2021.

Donnenwirth helped the Dukes navigate through the inaungural season in the Sun Belt Conference in his second season in 2022, helping the Dukes to a 12-4-5 record and an appearance in the championship match. Working primarily with the goalkeepers, Donnenwirth helped the Dukes set multiple program records in goals against average (0.56), goals allowed (12), shutouts (13) and consecutive minutes without being scored upon (475:31). Alexandra Blom was named the Sun Belt Goalkeeper of the Year, while also earning All-Southeast Region and All-Sun Belt First Team honors. Munson joined Blom on the All-Sun Belt First Team while also earning All-Region Second Team honors. Lexi Vanderlinden and Soleil Flores were tabbed to the All-Sun Belt Second Team, while Vanderlinden garnered All-Region Third Team honors. Amanda Attanasi was also named Second Team All-Region.

In his first season back at JMU, Donnenwirth helped lead the Dukes to a 9-9-1 record and the No. 3 seed in the CAA Tournament. Four Dukes were named All-CAA, with Ebony Wiseman on First Team, Ginger Deel and Brittany Munson on Second Team and Amanda Attanasi on the Third and All-Rookie Teams. They finished with their most conference wins since the 2018 season.

Donnenwirth returns to Harrisonburg after beginning his coaching career at JMU as an assistant on the men’s soccer team from 1988-1990 before becoming an assistant for women’s soccer’s inaugural season in 1990. Since then, he was at Massachusetts (1992-94) as an assistant coach for the men’s soccer program before becoming the head coach for the women’s soccer programs at North Carolina Wesleyan (1994-99) and East Carolina (1999-2017). He returns back to the Shenandoah Valley after serving as an assistant on Arkansas’ women’s soccer program for the last three seasons.

Donnenwirth is the winningest coach at both North Carolina Wesleyan and East Carolina, being inducted into the NCWC Hall of Fame in 2007. He has won eight conference championships over his 32 years of coaching and has an overall record of 239-177-53 as a head coach.

Before going into coaching, Donnenwirth was the starting goalkeeper for West Virginia Wesleyan College where he won two NAIA national championships in 1984 and 1985. He earned a degree in marketing in 1988 and is in their Hall of Fame with the 1984 and 1985 teams.

“I want to thank Josh for bringing me home,” Donnenwirth said. “JMU has always had a special place in my wife and I’s hearts and I am looking forward to working with Josh and Devin and getting started. Good to be home!”

Email coach

Devin Zvosec

James Madison head coach Joshua Walters, Sr. announced on July 23, 2021 the addition of Devin Zvosec to the coaching staff as an assistant coach.

The 2022 season saw Zvosec help guide the Dukes through their inaugural season in the Sun Belt Conference. In charge of the defense, Zvosec helped lead JMU to a 12-4-5 record, a fourth seed in the conference tournament and an appearance in the championship match. The Dukes set numerous program records on defense: goals against average (0.56), goals allowed (12), shutouts (13) and consecutive minutes without being scored upon (475:31). The defense also had a run of 632:22 consecutive minutes without allowing a goal in the run of play. Two defenders were named All-Sun Belt, as Brittany Munson was tabbed to the First Team while Soleil Flores earned Second Team honors. Alexandra Blom was named the Goalkeeper of the Year and earned First Team recognition while midfielder Lexi Vanderlinden was named to the Second Team. Blom also found her name on the All-Southeast Region First Team, joined by Munson and Amanda Attanasi on the Second Team and Vanderlinden on the Third Team.

In his first season at JMU, Zvosec helped lead the Dukes to a 9-9-1 record and the No. 3 seed in the CAA Tournament. Four Dukes were named All-CAA, with Ebony Wiseman on First Team, Ginger Deel and Brittany Munson on Second Team and Amanda Attanasi on the Third and All-Rookie Teams. They finished with their most conference wins since the 2018 season.

Zvosec comes to James Madison after spending the previous four seasons as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at North Florida. While in Jacksonville, the Ospreys saw the best four-year span in program history while setting new program marks for most wins, best conference finish and final Division I RPI and regional rankings. The program also saw its first regular-season conference title and their first undefeated conference record this past season.

Prior to North Florida, Zvosec had stops at Ole Miss, Arkansas State, Georgia Southwestern State, and Rogers State. He served as a graduate assistant at Ole Miss and was an assistant coach for the three other previous schools.

He earned a degree in sport management from Rogers State with a minor in psychology in 2015. He also earned a master’s degree in educational leadership with a concentration in athletic administration in 2021 while at North Florida.

“I am honored to join the James Madison University family,” said Zvosec. “From the moment I met with head coach Joshua Walters, Sr. and athletic trainer Leah Schoen, I knew I wanted to be a part of this special program and university. I felt an immediate connection to Coach Walters’ coaching and leadership philosophy, and his vision for the program. I am excited to bring my knowledge and enthusiasm to help positively impact our JMU women’s soccer student-athletes, while also helping us compete at the highest level on the field and in the classroom. I am grateful to Coach Joshua Walters, Sr. for the phenomenal opportunity to be a part of his staff and the women’s soccer program at JMU.”

Email coach

Paul Zazenski

James Madison men’s soccer Head Coach Paul Zazenski signed a contract extension that would keep him at the helm of the program through the 2026 season, as announced by Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne on October 17, 2022.

The Dukes have seen team and individual success under the tutelage of Zazenski during his tenure, as the program has won a trio of conference championships, multiple major awards and all-conference accolades earned by individuals and, with Tyler Clegg's selection in the 2023 Major League Soccer SuperDraft, four draft picks in the past five seasons.

Zazenski's fifth season leading the Dukes came in JMU's first season in the Sun Belt Conference, where they faired 8-8-4 overall. Despite earning a seven-seed in the conference tournament, the Dukes avenged both regular season losses to Marshall and Georgia State in the quarter and semifinal rounds to make it to the conference championship match. The Dukes won or drew in eight of their nine final matches leading to the championship appearance, with the win against Marshall in the quarterfinals the program's first top-five win since 2019. Alex Krakowiak earned All-Conference Second Team honors, while Tyler Clegg was selected to the All-Southeast Region Third Team.

In his fourth season, Zazenski led the Dukes to one of their best starts to the season since 2004 before finishing 11-5-1 and third in the standings in the CAA with a 5-3 record in league play. The Dukes received votes or were ranked inside the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll every week except for one, being ranked as high as 15th in the country. They were awarded with six players named to the All-Conference Team, with three placed on the First Team.

The Dukes were ineligible for postseason play in the fall due to conference realignment.

Zazenski's third year at the helm was during a shortened spring 2021 season, earning his second CAA Coach of the Year honor as he guided the Dukes to a 5-1-3 overall record and 4-0 in CAA play, becoming the third season in program history where the Dukes never lost or tied a conference game. The Dukes took their regular season conference play into the playoffs, winning their third consecutive conference title and making their 15th NCAA Tournament appearance.

Zazenski and his staff earned Atlantic Region Staff of the Year honors from United Soccer Coaches for the second time in three years, as the team either received votes or were included in the top 25 in every Coaches poll during the spring. The Dukes were ranked as high as seventh in the nation in the national weekly polls.

Under Zazenski, the Dukes received Defender and Rookie of the Year honors from the CAA, and had seven players on All-Conference teams. They earned success across the state of Virginia as well, having earned Defensive Player and Rookie of the Year honors and placing five on All-State teams. From the tutelage of Zazenski, JMU saw two players drafted in the MLS SuperDraft for the first time ever.

In his second season at the helm of the Dukes, Zazenski guided JMU to another 11-win season, winning the program's seventh CAA championship. The Dukes went on to host a first round match of the 2019 NCAA Tournament. The match at Sentara Park was the first for the venue and was the first time that JMU hosted Men's Soccer NCAA Tournament matches since 2011.

In his first year at the helm, Zazenski was named the Colonial Athletic Association Coach of the Year after leading his team to the 2018 regular-season title and the program’s sixth CAA championship. The Dukes went on to play in the 2018 NCAA Championship where they reached the Quarterfinals for the first time since 1995.

Zazenski and his staff were named the Regional Staff of the Year for the Atlantic region by United Soccer Coaches while five student-athletes earned All-Atlantic Region honors after posting a 15-5-3 overall record in the 2018 campaign. Fifteen wins on the season inks Zazenski in the record book as the winningest first-year coach in JMU men’s soccer history. He was also named the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Coach of the Year and the VaSID Coach of the Year.

Under Zazenski’s leadership, JMU made it in to the United Soccer Coaches Poll for the first time since 2011, earning a spot at No. 25 on October 23. The Dukes were recognized in the poll for six straight weeks. Following a stellar year, James Madison finished the season ranked No. 8 in Top Drawer Soccer, No. 9 in College Soccer News and No. 10 in the United Soccer Coaches Polls.

The Dukes won their second consecutive regular-season title after going 6-2 in conference action this season. Zazenski headlined the CAA postseason honors as JMU snagged a program-record ten awards while nine student-athletes were All-CAA Team selections.

Before being named head coach on August 8, 2018, he had been the associate head coach and an assistant coach of JMU men's soccer since the 2015 season, coordinating aspects of both program operations and player development. In 2017, Zazenski helped the Dukes to a 9-7-3 overall record and 5-1-2 in CAA play to take the regular-season conference championship. JMU captured a program-record eight players on the All-CAA teams, headlined by Manuel Ferriol earning a spot on the First Team.

Zazenski came from the University of Great Falls (Providence) where he had served as the head men's soccer coach for the past five seasons and earned an impressive 70-23-4 record. He has led the team to four conference championships, two NAIA National Tournament appearances in 2010 and 2011 where his team advanced to the Sweet 16 both times. He was recognized as the conference Coach of the Year three times, including this past season, and was named NAIA Regional Coach of the Year and National Coach of the Year Finalist in 2010 after a 16-4-1 record. His teams have been ranked in the NAIA Top 25 during four seasons while also coaching at least one NAIA All-American in each of those four seasons. His teams also were successful in the classroom, sporting a cumulative team GPA of at least 3.2 for the past four years and ranking as the top NAIA school with nine Academic All-Americans in 2014.

In addition to his college duties, Zazenski spent six years as the head coach of the Montana United Showcase U16 and U19 teams that developed players from all over the state. He also worked as the Electric City Soccer Club Director of Coaching from 2011-2013.

Prior to his time as head coach at Great Falls, Zazenski served as the top assistant with the program, with specific duties regarding goalkeeper coaching and recruiting. Prior to that, he spent three years as a high school soccer coach at Southwest Guilford High School in Jamestown, North Carolina.

Zazenski holds multiple coaching licenses with United Soccer Coaches and the USSF. Zazenski played four years of college soccer at UNC Greensboro from 2002-05, helping the Spartans to a pair of Southern Conference championships and back-to-back NCAA Sweet 16 appearances.

He earned his bachelor's degree in exercise, sports and science from UNC Greensboro in 2005 and finished his master's in organizational development with a management concentration in 2013 from Great Falls. He and his wife, Donna, have two sons, Calen and Davis, and a daughter, Cora.

Email coach

Charlie Hubbard

James Madison head coach Paul Zazenski announced on March 5, 2020 the addition of Charlie Hubbard to the coaching staff. Hubbard spent his first two seasons in Harrisonburg as an assistant coach before being promoted to associate head coach ahead of the 2022 season.

Hubbard helped guide the Dukes in their first season in the Sun Belt Conference in 2022 to an 8-8-4 overall. The Dukes went unbeaten in six of their final seven matches of the regular season and used the momentum to take down fifth-ranked and two-seeded Marshall in the quarterfinals and three-seeded Georgia State in the semifinals of the Sun Belt Conference Championship to make an appearance in the championship match. Alex Krakowiak was tabbed to the All-Sun Belt Second Team while Tyler Clegg earned All-Region Third Team honors.

In his second season with JMU, Hubbard helped guide the Dukes to an 11-5-1 record during the fall. The Dukes finished third in the league, and were ranked as high as No. 15 in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll. A six-match winning streak in the middle of the season was the longest such streak since the 2019 season and aided JMU to a 10-2 start through 12 matches, the best start since 2004.

In his first season in Harrisonburg during the spring of 2021, Hubbard helped guide the Dukes to a 5-1-3 overall record during a shortened season. The Dukes never loss or tied a conference game for the third time in program history on their way to winning their third consecutive CAA championship, making it the second three-peat in program history and the only team in CAA history to three-peat in men's soccer twice.

"We couldn't be more excited to add Charlie Hubbard to our men's soccer staff,” said Zazenski. “Having known Charlie from the recruiting trails there is no doubt we are getting a quality individual and extremely qualified coach. Charlie's DI head coaching experience will serve the program well both on and off the field. He also has his USSF 'B' license which shows his dedication to coaching education. I am confident he will fit perfectly into the future of JMU men's soccer and we are fortunate to have him.”

Hubbard comes to Harrisonburg after spending the last four seasons at VMI, where he was the head coach during 2019 season. He served as associate head coach for the first three seasons while at VMI, recruited 41 players over the last three years and helped guide the Keydets to its best season in five years.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank JMU athletics coaches and administration for providing me with this fantastic opportunity,” said Hubbard. “I am very excited to join the JMU coaching staff and become a member of this University. JMU has an excellent energy and culture, as well as a fantastic soccer program. I look forward to contributing to the JMU campus community and the men's soccer program in every capacity.”

Before heading to Lexington, Hubbard was an assistant coach on the men’s soccer team at Dallas Baptist University. He served in that capacity for the 2014 and 2015 seasons, where he helped recruit and develop the team as it played its way to the best season in program history.

Hubbard began his coaching career by spending the 2013 season as assistant coach on both the men’s and women’s soccer teams at Thomas More College in Crestview Hills, Ky. While there, he assisted both programs as they qualified for the Division III Tournament and aided the women’s program to consistently be ranked in the top 25 and reached its first-ever Sweet Sixteen.

A four-year letterwinner at Division II Palm Beach Atlantic University, he set a university record by playing in 84 games throughout his career. He assisted in leading Palm Beach Atlantic to the NCCAA Semi-Final match in his senior year, and made it to the NCCAA National Tournament every year while he was a Sailfish.

Hubbard is a 2013 graduate of Palm Beach Atlantic, earning a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies. He also earned his master’s in sport management from Dallas Baptist in 2016.

Email coach

Nicholas Melville

Melville entered his fifth season with JMU in 2022, which saw the program boast an 8-8-4 record going through its first season in the Sun Belt Conference. The Dukes went unbeaten in six of their final seven matches of the regular season and used the momentum to take down fifth-ranked and two-seeded Marshall in the quarterfinals and three-seeded Georgia State in the semifinals of the Sun Belt Conference Championship to make an appearance in the championship match. Alex Krakowiak was tabbed to the All-Sun Belt Second Team while Tyler Clegg earned All-Region Third Team honors.

In his fourth season on the sideline, Melville helped guide the Dukes to an 11-5-1 record during the fall. The Dukes finished third in the league, and were ranked as high as No. 15 in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll. A six-match winning streak in the middle of the season was the longest such streak since the 2019 season and aided JMU to a 10-2 start through 12 matches, the best start since 2004.

On for his third season as an assistant, Melville helped lead the Dukes to a 5-1-3 record during a shortened spring season. The Dukes never loss or tied a conference game for the third time in program history on their way to winning their third consecutive CAA championship, making it the second three-peat in program history and the only team in CAA history to three-peat in men's soccer twice.

In 2019, Melville helped guide JMU to the program's seventh CAA championship and a second straight NCAA Tournament appearance. The Dukes hosted a first round match, which was the first at Sentana Park and the first time JMU hosted Men's Soccer NCAA Tournament matches since 2011.

During his first season as an assistant coach, Nicholas Melville helped the program to a 15-5-3 overall record while winning the 2018 regular-season Colonial Athletic Association title, 2018 CAA Championship title and a Quarterfinal appearance in the 2018 NCAA Championship for the first time since 1995.

After a stellar 2018 season, the soccer staff was named the Regional Staff of the Year for the Atlantic Region by United Soccer Coaches. James Madison finished the season ranked No. 8 in Top Drawer Soccer, No. 9 in College Soccer News and No. 10 in the United Soccer Coaches Polls.

Following a brief stint as the volunteer assistant coach, Melville was elevated to assistant coach, as announced by Head Coach Paul Zazenski on August 27, 2018.

"We are excited to have Nick join our staff full time for the 2018 season," Zazenski said. "Nick joins us with a solid playing background, as he was part of a national championship team at Iowa Western College and then transferred to the University of Cincinnati where he started all games as a Bearcat. He is a great up-and-coming coach who has impressed me greatly in his very brief time as a volunteer assistant. He is willing to do whatever it takes to make it in the coaching world and his professionalism goes well beyond his years."

Melville made the leap from athlete to coach, coming to JMU at the end of July as a volunteer assistant coach. In a matter of weeks, Melville was given the full-time position.

"First and foremost, I would like to thank Coach Paul Zazenski for giving me this opportunity and trusting me to help push the standards in place for JMU men's soccer, both on and off the pitch," Melville said. "I am eager to embrace my role as an assistant coach and I look forward to playing my part in helping this program achieve continued success."

Melville began his collegiate career at Iowa Western where he helped the program to a 48-0 record over the course of his two seasons, winning the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I national title in 2013 and reaching the semifinals in 2014. His postseason performance was recognized in 2014 as he was named to the NJCAA National Tournament All-Tournament team. In his two seasons as a Reiver, he scored 11 goals and tallied six assists.

After a two-year stint at Iowa Western, Melville transferred to Cincinnati where he started every game in 2015 and 2016. In his 37 games as a Bearcat, he tallied nine points from two goals and five assists.

Melville graduated from Cincinnati in 2017 with a bachelor's degree in communications. He received 2018 preseason invites from FC Cincinnati and Bethlehem Steel FC of the United Soccer League and chose to play for FCC.