SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts – American International College Director of Athletics Rob Kearney announced on Monday, November 24 that Sam Mitchell has been named Head Women's Soccer Coach.
"I am incredibly excited to announce Sam Mitchell as the next Head Coach for the Women's Soccer Program here at AIC. With years of experience at the Division 1 and Division 2 levels, Sam brings a wealth of knowledge to our program. His focus on building a successful, competitive program here at AIC is what we need and one I am truly thrilled about with him as our head coach. From recruiting, to team culture, to on-field success, Sam will help elevate not only the Women's Soccer program, but the entire Athletics Department," Kearney said.
"I am honored to lead the AIC Women's Soccer program and excited to build something truly special here in Springfield. AIC has a proud history, a resilient spirit, and a community that believes in hard work, character, and opportunity — values that align perfectly with my coaching philosophy. Our vision is to create an attacking, courageous, and intelligent brand of soccer built on trust, discipline, and daily standards of excellence. We will invest deeply in player development, relationships, and a culture that empowers young women to lead both on and off the field. I believe the future of AIC Women's Soccer is bright, and together, we are ready to write the next chapter," Mitchell said.
Mitchell has helped build a powerhouse women's soccer program as the lead assistant at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. On the staff since 2018, he has helped the team to seven consecutive winning seasons and a pair of Atlantic-10 Championship Final appearances in 2021 and 2024 and five top-four finishes in the A10.
Among his duties were designing and implementing tactical training programs, video and statistical breakdowns to inform player development, and building a strong team culture.
He was involved in recruiting high-caliber players, with an eye on improving not only the on-field product but also the academic success of the program. Additionally, he organized schedules, travel, and compliance within the program, as well as managing the team's social media presence, ensuring strong engagement both within the team and with alumni, families, and fans.
In his tenure, two players won three total A10 Midfielder of the Year Awards, with Bella Recinos taking it in back-to-back seasons in 2023 and 2024, and the team's first A10 Offensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year since the late 1990s with Melissa Kossler in 2019. In total, 13 players earned A10 All-Conference nods in his time.
In addition to his long-term success with the Minutemen, Mitchell previously was an assistant at the University of Central Florida from 2016-18, where his team made the NCAA Tournament and was ranked 17th nationally; prior to that, he spent two seasons at Rollins College, helping the team to an NCAA Division II National Runner-Up finish and a 20-3 record.
Mitchell holds B Coaching Licenses from both the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and an Advanced National Diploma from United Soccer Coaches (previously the NSCAA). He is American Heart Association certified in CPR and AED usage.
He graduated from the University of Kent in Canterbury, England with a bachelor of arts in philosophy and played six semi-professional seasons in England for London Colney FC and Tring Athletic. During that time, he coached for Watford FC in the Girls Center of Excellence and Boys Academy prior to moving to the United States.
