University of Findlay

University of Findlay Athletics
1000 North Main Street Findlay, OH 45840

Division 2 Ohio Midwest

Private Small National competitor

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Coaches

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Andy Smyth

Andy Smyth will be entering his 28th year as the head men's soccer coach at Findlay in 2016. He also coached the Oilers women's soccer team for 22 years, ending his tenure with the program in 2012. Smyth’s record with the men's team is 201-240-37 and 239-158-29 with the women.

In 2015, the Oilers finished with a 9-7-1 record and missed out on the GLIAC tournament by tie-breaker. The team had three all-GLIAC performers, including the Freshman of the Year, Michael Shaikly.

Smyth finished the 2014 campaign with a 4-13 record, a year after going 5-11-1 in 2013. In 2012 the team finished with a 6-9-1 record, which came after a 3-13-1 record in 2011. In 2010 Smyth led the men’s team to an overall record of 4-10-3 and finished with an 8-10-1 in 2009. Those years followed records of 6-11 (2008), 5-11-1 (2007) and 4-13 (2006).

In 2005, Smyth guided his men's team into GLIAC title contention. Findlay faltered at the end however and settled with an 8-7-2 record. He led the men’s team to an 8-8-1 record in 2004 as well.

The 2003 season proved to be the best since joining the NCAA Division II ranks. Smyth led the Oilers to a 10-6-5 record and guided them to an appearance in the NCAA Division II Final Four. It was the first time any sport from The University of Findlay has made it to the Final Four in a NCAA Division II tournament. After beating Ashland, Mercyhurst and Truman State, the Oilers ran out of steam and fell 2-0 to California State-Chico in a contest that would have propelled them to the championship game.

In 2002 Smyth led the men’s team to an 8-5-4 record. The season followed a 13-2-2 record during the 2001 campaign as Smyth was named the GLIAC Coach of the Year. His squad also ended the season ranked eighth in the nation.

Smyth, along with his recent accomplishments, has been named the NAIA Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year in 1994 for the women and also guided the women’s team to four Regional championships and several GLIAC Tournament appearances during the course of his career.

Smyth came to The University of Findlay after coaching stints at Miami (Ohio) University and at Oklahoma State University.

Smyth was the head club soccer coach for the men’s and women’s programs at Oklahoma State University from 1983-87. The programs were very successful, both having a winning percentage over .500. He then went to Stillwater High School, where he started the school’s soccer program. After one season at Stillwater High School, Smyth moved to Miami (Ohio) University where he became the assistant coach for the men’s soccer team.

He has also coached in the Olympic Development Program for Ohio South as the Cincinnati and Columbus women’s district coach and is presently a boy’s district coach for Ohio North.

Along with coaching, Smyth has run soccer camps and tournaments throughout his career. A native of London, England, Smyth holds the United States Soccer Federation “A” license, the UEFA 'A' license and the Football Association of England Preliminary Badge. In 2002, he was a member of the first class to receive the NSCAA Premier Coaching Diploma.

As a competitor, Smyth played for the University of Birmingham in England from 1979-82 and for the Old Monovians, Orient Supporters from 1982-83 where he was awarded Player-of-the-Year honors.

Smyth received a bachelor's of science degree in 1982 from the University of Birmingham in England. He also is the holder of two master’s degrees, one from Oklahoma State University and one from Miami University.

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Craig Mitchell

Craig Mitchell will be entering his first of two years as an assistant for the Oilers men's soccer team. While at Findlay, Mitchell will be earning his master's degree in education.

Mitchell played for four years at the West Virginia University Institute of Technology under head coach Luis Cortell, a former Oiler soccer player. The Prestwick, Scotland native started in three out of four seasons while red-shirting in one. He was a team captain for his final two years. He helped his team to a pair of USCAA National Championships as well as being a first team All-American for those two years.

After college, he played for Philadelphia Fury of the American Soccer League for one season.

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Tom Picirrilo

Tom is in his first year working with the Oilers goalkeepers. He is currently the Director of Coaching for the Pacesetter Soccer Club South.

Picirrilo has been an instructor for coaching license courses for both Ohio Youth Soccer Association North and Virginia Youth Soccer. He also earned the United States Soccer Federation “A” license in 1996, and he also holds the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Advanced National Diploma.

He also has experience coaching collegiately as he has been a coach at Tiffin University, Bowling Green State University, Dartmouth College, and Keuka College.