December 19, 2011
MANFRED'S SUCCESSOR
Echeverry named new Seton Hall men's coach, replacing Schellscheidt

Gerson Echeverry will succeed Manfred Schellscheidt at Seton Hal men's soccer coach. Photo courtesy of Seton Hall SID

Gerson Echeverry on Monday was named the head men’s soccer coach at Seton Hall University.

Echeverry, a 1994 Seton Hall graduate and former Pirates assistant coach, replaced Manfred Schellscheidt, who announced his retirement in November after 24 years of coaching at the school.

“After a thorough and extensive search, which included several highly qualified candidates, I am very pleased to welcome Gerson back to Seton Hall,” Seton Hall athletic director Pat Lyons said. “His impressive ledger of experience on both the collegiate and international levels, combined with his intimate knowledge of our program as a student-athlete and coach, make him the ideal successor to Manfred Schellscheidt. We believe he has the tools to build on the foundation set by Manfred and take this program to new heights.”

Echeverry returns to Seton Hall after spending the last three years as an assistant coach for the U.S. Soccer Under-17 men’s national team and residency program in Bradenton, Fla. He brings credentials that include success as a coach and player at collegiate, professional and international levels.

“I’m extremely excited to be coming back home to Seton Hall,” Echeverry said in a statement. “As a former student-athlete and coach, it means a lot to be given the opportunity to lead a program that has meant so much to me. I’m looking forward to getting to work and continuing the outstanding tradition of men’s soccer at Seton Hall.”

With the U.S. U-17 national team, Echeverry planned and implemented training sessions for midfielders and forwards, evaluated future prospects for the residency team and U-17 men’s national team, and served as the head coach for the U-16 men’s national team in the Mondial Minimes International Tournament in Montague, France.

For five years Echeverry served as the top assistant coach for the Seton Hall as the team recorded a 47-38-12 mark. Seton Hall advanced to the Big East championship game in 2004 and earned three consecutive NCAA Division I Tournament berths from 2003-05.

Echeverry stood out as one of the finest players to wear a Seton Hall uniform. He ranks fourth in school history with 114 points, third with 32 assists and sixth with 41 goals.

Echeverry’s 1991 season still ranks as one of the best single-season performances in program history. He finished the season ranked third in the nation with 52 points while leading the Pirates to the Big East championship. Echeverry was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Big East championship, conference Offensive Player of the Year and a third-team All-American.

He played professionally in Columbia as well as with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars and D.C. United of Major League Soccer.