John Ciano Named Head Coach of Union Men's Soccer

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Bringing over 15 years of coaching experience at all levels of NCAA soccer, John Ciano has been named the next head coach of the Union College men's soccer team, Director of Athletics Jim McLaughlin '93 announced on Thursday.

"We are thrilled to welcome John Ciano to Union as the next head coach of our men's soccer program," McLaughlin said. "John stood out among a highly qualified candidate pool with his positive attitude, his connections to the Capital Region, and his track record of success at all levels of college soccer. His enthusiasm for the role and dedication to the success of his student-athletes both on and off the field will help to advance our men's soccer program. I look forward to welcoming John to campus and seeing the impact he can have beginning next season."

"I want to thank Director of Athletics Jim McLaughlin, Associate Director of Athletics Beth Tiffany and the rest of the search committee for allowing me the opportunity to lead the men's soccer program at Union," said Ciano. "As soon as I stepped on campus, I could tell right away that Union is a special place. I feel truly blessed and grateful to be associated with such a prestigious institution and hope to build a program that our team, school, and alumni can be proud of."

Ciano brings a wide range of collegiate coaching experience to Union, having coached at all three levels of the NCAA in both head and assistant coaching roles over the last 16 years.

He comes to Schenectady from St. John's University, where he has served as an assistant coach for the last two seasons. In 2024, the Red Storm earned a share of their first BIG EAST East Division regular-season title and reached the conference semifinals, the team's second straight postseason appearance. He previously spent one year at Stony Brook University, serving as assistant coach while also taking part in the United Soccer Coaches Coach Credentialing Program.

Ciano is no stranger to the Capital Region, having spent six years as the head coach at Division II College of Saint Rose from 2016-21. The Golden Knights posted a 45-38-11 (.537) record in his time in Albany, including a stretch of four straight winning seasons for a program that had just one season over .500 throughout its first 36 years. He coached the team to the only two 10-win seasons at the school, concluding with a 10-6-2 campaign in 2021 that saw the team earn its highest finish in the Northeast-10 Conference regular-season standings and receive votes in the United Soccer Coaches national poll for the first time ever. His 2019 team also reached the 10-win plateau, earned the first postseason win in program annals, and reached the NE-10 Championship game for the first time ever. Ciano left the school with the highest winning percentage in program history by more than 200 percentage points.

"The Capital Region has always held a special place in my heart. I fell in love with the community and the sense of pride that was regularly on display when I spent nine years in the area," Ciano added. "I am really excited to reconnect with old friends, establish new relationships, and build a high achieving program on the field, in the classroom, and in the community."

Prior to his time at Saint Rose, Ciano saw success over a combined five seasons as an assistant coach at the Division I level with Siena College and New Jersey Institute of Technology. In three seasons at Siena from 2013-15, Ciano served as recruiting coordinator for the Saints and helped the squad to 25 wins and a pair of MAAC Tournament appearances, including a 10-8-2 record in 2014 that remains the second-highest win total in a season in program history. In the second season of his two-year stint with NJIT (2011-12), the Highlanders produced the most wins in their Division I history.

Ciano began his collegiate coaching tenure at Division III Manhattanville College (2009-10), where he helped guide the Valiants to a combined 24-11-2 record and a MAC Freedom regular-season title in 2009.

As an undergraduate, Ciano was a four-year starter in goal between his time at Central Connecticut State University and Manhattan College, starting 54-of-55 games in one year with the Blue Devils and three years with the Jaspers. He graduated from Manhattan in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in physical education.

Ciano takes over a Union side that posted a 6-8-5 record during the 2024 season under interim head coach Anthony Scaravillo, averaging under one goal conceded per game and allowing one goal or fewer in 15-of-19 outings. Five of the team's losses came by one goal, including a pair to nationally ranked opponents.

"I would like to thank Anthony for his stewardship of the program this season," McLaughlin added. "The Union men's soccer program is in a good position for future success and I look forward to seeing the team back on the field in the fall."