Jean-A. Tassy
Head Coach
12th Season
2000 MAC Coach of the Year
E-mail: tassy@buffalo.edu
Office: 163 F Alumni
Since taking over the head coaching duties at the University at Buffalo in 1995, Jean-A. Tassy has built the women's soccer program into a national contender. In five of the last six seasons, his Bulls have advanced to postseason play.
Now in his 12th season as the head coach of the Bulls, Tassy has compiled an 98-87-20 record. In 2000, Tassy was named the Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year (a first for a UB coach) after guiding the Bulls to the school?s first-ever MAC regular season title and a 14-6-1 record.
In seven years as a MAC member, Tassy has established the women's soccer program as a top quality team in the conference. Tassy has coached 10 conference players of the week, 10 first-team all-conference players and five second-team all-conference players. Eight times in the last five years UB players have earned all-regional honors as well.
Tassy?s goal to develop not only great soccer players but great people came to fruition in 2002 when he, along with the women?s soccer team, earned the NCAA Citizenship Through Sports Award. The award, sponsored by the Citizenship Through Sports Alliance, recognizes selected athletes for their contributions to the highest ethical standards in sport.
In 1999, Tassy guided the team to a school-record 12 straight games without a loss as the Bulls were 11-0-1 after their first 12 games of the year. UB finished the MAC season with a 7-4-0 conference mark, earning fourth place and the honor of hosting a first-round MAC Tournament game, becoming the first team at UB to host a MAC Championship game. The team also finished second in the conference and 22nd in the country in team defense and finished third in the MAC in team offense.
In 1998, the program's first-ever season in Mid-American Conference play, Tassy led the team to a 10-6-2 overall record, earning a bid to the MAC postseason tournament. In addition, the women's soccer team became the first UB team to play and win a MAC contest. UB defeated Marshall 3-1 for the historic win.
In 1995, Tassy led UB to its most successful season (9-3-3) since joining the Division I ranks.
In addition to the on-field success, Coach Tassy has established a family atmosphere in the program. He is also constantly creating opportunities for his student-athletes to be challenged academically and athletically and encourages them to explore other avenues of the campus community to enhance their total development.
Tassy began his soccer career in the U.S. at Canton Junior College in Canton, N. Y., where he was a two-time All-American ('68-'69). Recruited to play at Buffalo State College by Fred Hartrick, Tassy blossomed into a force on the field, earning Division I All-American honors his junior year. During that season, he led the Bengals to what was then the best season in school history (13-0-2), an appearance in the NCAA Tournament and a final season ranking of seventh in the nation.
Following his career at Buffalo State, Tassy went on to play professionally in both Canada and the United States. Drafted by the Toronto Metros in 1971, he went on to play two seasons with the New York City Cacos.
Tassy was invited to play for Haiti in the 1974 World Cup, but declined, citing the political climate of his home country.
A USSF "B" licensed coach with degrees in Physical Education and French, Tassy began his coaching career with Niagara University's men's team (1975-81), before returning to Buffalo State in 1982. He coached the Bengals' men's team to three NCAA Tournament appearances ('82-'84) and produced seven All-Americans during his tenure ('82-'88).
Tassy's soccer success on the field has carried over to his two sons, Jean-Rene and Christopher. Jean-Rene, a two-time Regional All-American at Messiah College, and Christopher, also a standout at Messiah College, was the school's first-ever first-team National All-American and also played professionally. Coach Tassy now also has five grandchildren.
Tassy is happily married to his wife Kathleen, an assistant principal at Tonawanda Middle School. He believes that the essence of his coaching philosophy can be found in Colossians 3:23-24.