The University of Dayton men’s soccer program has announced the hiring of Michael Tanke as an assistant coach for the upcoming 2015 season.
“Michael brings a good balance to our staff and we are excited to have him join us,” said Head Coach Dennis Currier. “He has strong coaching potential with a very energetic approach to the game. Michael knows the A-10 well with his experience as a player in our league. He also brings a strong professional playing experience with Rochester Rhinos.”
Tanke, a native of Niles, Mich. and graduate of Atlantic 10 member University of Rhode Island, is coming to Dayton after serving as the graduate assistant coach at Castleton University in Vermont the past two years.
On the Spartans’ staff, Tanke helped guide Castleton to a 13-4-2 record, the highest winning percentage for the program in 20 years, and the top spot in the North Atlantic Conference tournament. His teams also had five NAC All-Conference performer.
His coaching career began after playing three years professionally with the Rochester Rhinos (USL), making 24 starts and 41 appearances before injuries forced him to retire. In his stint with the Rhinos, Tanke helped his team to a regular season conference championship, two playoff appearances, and two U.S. Open Cup third round games.
The professional career came after Tanke was a four-year member and two-year starter for the Rams at Rhode Island. He was named All-Tournament team in 2010 at the ODU-Stihl Soccer Classic and was voted to the New England Intercollegiate Soccer League Senior All-Start Game. He went on to the 2011 NASL Combine after playing for the Indiana Invaders USL Premier Development League and training with the Columbus Crew U19, U20, and first teams.
Not only was Tanke productive on the field, but he also earned Atlantic 10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll all four years at Rhode Island. He won the URI Centennial Scholarship and the Elizabeth Holmes Award as a senior. He was recognized by the Speaker of the House for the State of Rhode Island for his success in the classroom as well.
In 2011, Tanke graduated cum laude from Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. He went on to earn his Master’s Degree in Education from Castleton while coaching.
Tanke also had the opportunity to travel to South Africa in the summer of 2010 as a volunteer teacher for Cross Cultural Solutions and has been a supporter of Grassroot Soccer, a global AIDS education organization that uses soccer to get across their message of safety and abstinence.
Tanke holds a USSF "B" license and a U.S. Youth National license. He served as Director of Soccer Operations at Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis during the fall of 2011. He has also spent time as a summer camp counselor at IUPUI, Rhode Island, Notre Dame, Northwestern, and Dartmouth.
“It's a real privilege to be joining Dayton Men's Soccer and the University of Dayton community,” said Tanke. “Coach Currier and Coach Oberholtzer will be invaluable assets to my personal development as a coach, and I'm just excited to get to work. My goal is to help our players win A-10 championships and compete in NCAA tournaments.”
