John Pucci (14-15-6, two seasons at Saint Mary's), who was announced as Hamline University head men's soccer coach on March 5, 2025, will embark on his first season leading the program in 2025.
Pucci comes to Hamline following two seasons as head men's soccer coach at Saint Mary's (Minn.). A myriad of benchmarks were achieved throughout Pucci's time with the Cardinals. The 2023 season ended with SMU's first .500 record in 20 years, which included a road victory over Gustavus Adolphus, the program's first triumph over a ranked program. Pucci and the Cardinals began the 2024 season 5-0, the best start to a season since 1981. The 2024 campaign ended with SMU's first ever United Soccer Coaches All-Region player. The Cardinals accumulated a 14-15-6 record throughout Pucci's two seasons as head coach.
Pucci jumped into the college ranks from St. Paul Humboldt High School. He led the squad to their first ever MSHSL State Championship appearance in 2021, when they finished as a runner-up. It was that season Humboldt faced Como Park at Allianz Field, which marked the first ever amateur event in that facility. Humboldt High School accumulated six MSHSL All-State awards throughout Pucci's time as head coach. In 2020, Pucci was voted St. Paul Coach of the Year.
Pucci returns to the Pipers after having previously worked with the program as an assistant coach in 2021. He also had assistant-coaching stops with the Macalester women's program, as well as Minneapolis City SC.
Pucci served as the U23 Men's National Team coach for the Karen FA, a small nationality located on the Thailand/Myanmar border. Additionally, Pucci was the goalkeeping coach for the Senior Men's National Team. For seven seasons, Pucci simultaneously served as Director of Goalkeeping, and Head Coach for the Saint Paul Blackhawks. During that time, he led the 2005 Girl's Team to the 2022 Gothia Cup Title in Sweden, also known as the Youth World Cup.
Pucci currently holds a UEFA C license, and is working toward the UEFA B.
Pucci obtained his bachelor's degree from Hamline in 2015, and earned his master's degree in positive coaching and athletic leadership from University of Missouri in 2021.
John Pucci's Career Coaching Numbers (Men)
| Year |
School |
Overall |
Conf. |
Postseason |
| 2023 |
Saint Mary's (Minn.) |
6-6-5 |
2-5-3 |
N/A |
| 2024 |
Saint Mary's (Minn.) |
8-9-1 |
2-7-0 |
N/A |
|
Career |
14-15-6 |
4-12-3 |
0-0-0 |
