Long Time Gustavus Adolphus Men’s Coach Larry Zelenz Resigns

On Thursday April 1, long time St. Johns Men’s soccer coach Pat Haws announced his retirement after 32 years of coaching soccer at the school. It was no April Fool’s joke and the move came as a surprise to many.  There have been many long-standing men’s soccer coaches in the MIAC conference, some with over 20 years of service. So the announcement just one week later that Gustavus Adolphus men’s coach Larry Zelenz would resign after 24 years came as even more of a shock.

Zelenz sent a letter on Thursday to Gustie soccer alumni notifying them of his resignation. The longtime Gustavus coach stated that his wife had taken a job as Vice President for College Advancement at the College of St. Scholastica.

The letter stated: We have decided to open this new chapter in our lives together, and I will resign my position at Gustavus effective at the end of this contract year.
As difficult as it will be, leaving Gustavus now culminates a relationship with the college that has had a profound impact on my life and that of my whole family.  My twenty-four year association with this institution and the soccer program specifically has been an experience that I feel incredibly proud and blessed to have undertaken.  Countless Gustie students and colleagues have made my time here rewarding beyond expression.

In his 24-year tenure with the Gustavus men’s soccer program, Zelenz led the Gusties to an overall record of 280-114-44 and a winning percentage of 68.9 percent.  The all-time leader in coaching victories in the history of the Gustavus men’s soccer program, Zelenz led the Gusties to seven conference titles (1993, 1994, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007) and eight NCAA National Tournament appearances (1993, 1994, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007).  He was named the 2006 NCAA National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division III National Coach of the Year for his efforts in guiding Gustavus to a 17-3-5 mark and a trip to the NCAA Championship game.  Zelenz was also named the NSCAA Division III West Region Coach of the Year in 2004 and 2005. Zelenz’s teams have finished in the top five of the conference all 24 years he was the head coach, and his squads did not ever compile a losing record in conference play. He coached 36 players who earned a total of 62 all-conference honors, including four MIAC Players of the Year. In addition, he coached one CoSIDA Academic All-American and six NSCAA All-Americans.

“My years at Gustavus have been fantastic,” said Zelnez when responding to questions from IMS this weekend. “This is an incredible Division III Athletic Department. I feel very proud and blessed to have had such a great 24-year association.”

When asked if he planned on becoming involved with soccer in the Duluth area Zelenz stated, “If there is a way that works for me to be involved in soccer in Duluth, that would be fantastic.  Right now I am moving on without any immediate commitments.”