Eric Bucchere has stepped down as Menlo College men’s soccer coach to accept an assistant coaching position with the United Soccer League’s Reno 1868 FC. He led the Oaks to their first Golden State Athletic League title in the fall in his fourth season as coach.
“I’m very grateful for Eric and his many positive contributions to the men’s soccer program and the Menlo College campus over the last four-plus years,” Menlo Director of Athletics Keith Spataro said. “I wish him all the best as he pursues this coaching opportunity in Reno.”
Bucchere came to Menlo after five seasons as the head assistant coach at UC San Diego.
In addition to his duties at Menlo, Bucchere also worked with the Burlingame Dragons of the Premier Development League (PDL). He took on the role of head coach for the Dragons and led them to a PDL Conference Championship and an appearance in the PDL Western Conference Final Four.
He accumulated a 43-23-9 record at Menlo, including a program-best 15-5-1 mark in 2016.
In 2014 the Oaks claimed the Cal Pac North Division regular-season championship with an overall record of 10-7-2, in the school’s final year in the Cal Pac.
After missing the playoffs in 2015, Bucchere’s squad rebounded in 2016, posting the best record in school history and tying for the best record in the Golden State Athletic Conference.
Menlo went on to win the GSAC postseason tournament which gave it a berth in the NAIA National Tournament for the second time in program history.
Ten different players earned All-Conference accolades over the last four years and three went on to earn All-Region honors.
Three players earned CoSIDA Academic-All American honors (the first in program history) and 10 more claimed Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete awards among a host of other awards presented to Bucchere-coached student-athletes.
“I feel lucky and grateful to have had an amazing four years at Menlo,” Bucchere said. “Menlo College is a wonderful place to be a student-athlete and the relationships I’ve been blessed to create here on campus and with the men’s soccer program will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Bucchere travels to Reno where he will be part of the inaugural season for the 1868 FC. The team was created as part of an expansion of the United Soccer League (USL).
The team name is a nod the year the city was founded, and games will be played at Greater Nevada Stadium, home of the Reno Aces (AAA-affiliate of the Arizona D-Backs).
Reno 1868 FC announced a two-year partnership with the San Jose Earthquakes.
By Menlo Athletics
By Menlo Athletics
By Menlo Athletics