Marc Davis
Marc Davis

Bio

Marc Davis enters his fifth season as head coach of the women's soccer program for the 2023 season.

Last season, the Mariners continued to make strides under Davis' supervision. Mitchell's 5-7-4 record was the program’s best since 2011. The work was capped by Mariah Travisano, Madison Nicynski and Gemma Landry all making the NECC All-Conference team. Nicynski was also the conference’s Defender of the Year, while Landry, the goalkeeper, was recognized by United Soccer Coaches as an All-Region Second Team selection.

The 2021 season included many new accomplishments for the program including a 2-1 victory over Eastern Nazarene College, which was the program's first conference victory in nearly four years. His squad earned six NECC Rookie of the Week and two NECC Player of the Week selections during the regular season, Elon Johnson broke a program record for most goals in a game, and Davis was tabbed New England Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year at the conclusion of the season.

While the 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Davis made his collegiate head coaching debut with the Mariners in 2019. Taking over a program that had won only a single game the year prior, in his debut season he guided Mitchell to four wins, including the most non-conference victories in a season in the school's NCAA Division III history. The Mariners also enjoyed their highest-scoring offense since 2011, led by all-conference honoree Lindsey Fairbank's team-high 11 goals.   

Off the field the Mariners have consistently posted a grade point average of 3.0 or higher in order to receive the Team Academic Award from the United Soccer Coaches Association in each of Davis’ seasons in charge.   

Prior to taking over the women's team, Davis spent four seasons as an assistant for the Mitchell men’s soccer program. During his time with the men’s program, Davis helped Mitchell to a 20-9-0 record in New England Collegiate Conference play and four straight trips to the NECC Championship. The Mariners advanced to the title game in both 2017 and 2018, highlighted by the program’s first-ever conference championship and NCAA tournament appearance in 2017.

Before joining the collegiate ranks, Davis assisted the Montville High School program from 2010-15. He helped the Indians capture three Eastern Connecticut Conference Division 'M' titles, an ECC Tournament championship and a Connecticut State championship. During his tenure he also worked with three All-American players.

Davis is one of the longest-serving coaches of the premier youth level with Southeast Soccer Club, working with multiple teams since 2008. Many of his former players have played at the collegiate level: Olivia Ferrara (College of The Holy Cross), Halle Anderson (UMass Lowell), Katherine Pettersen (American International College), Jenna Peduzzi (University of New Haven), Allison Bruehwiler (Western New England University) and Mia Londregan (Marymount University), among many others.

Originally from Southampton, England, Davis moved to the United States in 2008. In his time in England he worked for Southampton Football Club (of the English Premier League) in their Girl's Center of Excellence program, and was charged with developing players to compete at the national level. He holds certifications from England, most notably the UEFA B License, and has recently started the educational pathway in the United States, with the D License from the United States Soccer Federation. Additionally, he holds goalkeeper certifications from both the English Football Association and National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

Davis received a Bachelor's degree in Sports Studies from the University of Southampton in 2005. In his playing days he competed on the Hampshire County Schools Representative team from 16 years of age to 18 and then played semi-professionally for Eastleigh FC. He currently resides in Waterford, Conn.

Meet The Coach
Jim O'Brien

Jim O’Brien will enter his first season as the head coach of the Mitchell College women's soccer program during the 2024-25 academic year.

With over two and a half decades of coaching experience at the Division I and II level, O’Brien arrives in New London having most recently served as an assistant women’s soccer coach at Stony Brook University from 2019 until 2024. During his tenure with the Seawolves the team captured two American East Championships and made a pair of trips to the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Tournament.

“We are really excited to announce and welcome Jim O’Brien as our next head women’s soccer coach,” said Director of Athletics, Matt Finlayson. “Ashley Kishorn did an amazing job leading this search of a quality candidate pool, and Jim stood out as a leader that has been successful everywhere he has been. In addition to having a resume that speaks for itself, Jim’s passion for the overall student-athlete experience, and ability to connect with people are attributes that we are confident will lead to future growth for our women’s soccer program.”

Prior to Stony Brook, O’Brien spent one season as the head women’s soccer coach at Mercy College, leading the team to a 12-3-2 overall record in the fall of 2018, and from 2005-2017 he served as the head women’s soccer coach at Division I Fairfield University. His tenure with the Stags was defined by success, as he departed Fairfield as the all-time winningest coach in program history, having captured the MAAC Tournament championship in both 2005 and 2008.

O’Brien began his coaching career in 1995, founding the women’s soccer program at Southern Connecticut State University, posting a 105-56-8 record during his 10-year stint in New Haven.

"Today is an exciting day for me as I embark on a new chapter in my career,” stated O’Brien. “My desire to head up a women's soccer program has been attained thanks to Director of Athletics Matt Finlayson and his staff. I would like to once again thank Matt, Ashley Kishhorn, and Todd Peretz for selecting me to oversee the program. I also would like to thank the coaches who formed the search committee who took the time and due diligence during the interview process. I am thrilled to be part of the Mitchell College community and look forward to a bright future for the women's soccer program.”

In addition to his collegiate coaching career, O’Brien has served as head coach of the Connecticut Football Club, the LI Slammers, and the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association: Olympic Development Program. He has also been the owner of the Academy of Excellence since 1995, where he conducts developmental camps, clinics, and training sessions.

O’Brien takes over a Mitchell squad that posted a 4-12-1 record during their inaugural season in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC), and will be returning the reigning conference Goalkeeper of the Year and the team’s second leading goal scorer.

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