After 23 years at the helm of the University of Rochester men's soccer program, Head Coach Chris Apple has announced he is retiring following the 2023-24 academic year. His last day on the River Campus will be June 30, 2024.
Apple, the winningest coach in Rochester men's soccer history, ends his Yellowjacket career with a 258-84-67 record overall, equaling a .713 winning percentage over 22 seasons (no season played in 2020). His résumé comprises of 19 total postseason appearances, including 15 trips to the NCAA Division III Tournament and four straight ECAC Northeast Tournament Championship titles.
His coaching career dates back to the mid-1990's, when he coached two seasons at North Carolina Wesleyan University (1994-95). He also served as Interim Head Coach at the University of Notre Dame in 2000, one year before taking the job at Rochester. Apple's overall career coaching record stands at 277-112-70 (.680).
"It has been my great honor to lead our men's soccer program," says Apple. "I want to thank Terry Gurnett for recommending me 23 years ago and George VanderZwaag for entrusting me with the responsibility to guide and develop our students and our team. The support and counsel I have received from them and from my friends and colleagues in the athletic department over the years has been immeasurable. I have been incredibly fortunate to work with so many smart, caring and committed assistant coaches who made my life easier and made our team stronger."
Rochester won five University Athletic Association (UAA) titles under Apple, were ECAC Northeast Regional Champions four times and made the NCAA Division III Final Four in 2018, embarking on the program's deepest postseason run in history. The 22 seasons coached are the most by a Yellowjacket men's soccer coach in team history, surpassing the 21-season record set by the programs first coach, Walter Campbell (1934-54).
Apple earned all but one of Rochester's all-time NCAA postseason victories, finishing with a 17-13-3 mark during the Division III national tournament.
"It's been a privilege to have Chris leading our men's soccer program over the past 23 years," says Executive Director of Athletics George VanderZwaag. "He is a truly outstanding educator and has set the standard for coaching excellence in our department. We are tremendously grateful for his service to his alma mater and wish him the best as he takes the next steps in his life."
During his time on the River Campus, Rochester accumulated 132 total honors from the UAA. Apple and his staff were picked as UAA Coaching Staff of the Year six times. He coached three UAA Players of the Year and two others were named conference Rookie of the Year. Additionally, 39 players were First Team All-UAA, 42 more were named to the Second Team and 40 individuals garnered Honorable Mention All-Conference accolades.
Apple coached 11 total All-Americans, including Nate Micklos '06 who was Rochester's first 3-time All-American in school history. In 2018, Bryce Ikeda '19 was named a first team All-American and the National Midfielder of the Year.
Men's soccer student-athletes also excelled in the classroom under Apple, as 10 individuals were selected by the College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA) as Academic All-Americans. Two of those players, Micklos and Nik Angyal '19, were named the Division III Men's Soccer Academic All-American of the Year. Angyal also earned the prestigious NCAA Elite 90 Award for the highest GPA at the Division III Final Four in 2018.
His peers in the United Soccer Coaches (formerly National Soccer Coaches Association of America), voted him as Northeast Regional Coaching Staff of the Year four times during his career. 51 players received All-Region recognition during Apple's 23 years at Rochester.
"Our alumni are simply the best on the planet," continues Apple. "They have supported our team with their time, their talent and their treasure and have enabled us to provide the best and most challenging college soccer experience possible for our students. Which leads me to the young men I have been so privileged to coach. As their coach, I have enjoyed this wonderful window of time in their lives when they are growing and maturing and preparing for adulthood. To not only be front and center to witness the transformation, but to play a small though not inconsequential role in helping them develop – this has been my greatest joy and reward."
A 1992 graduate from the University, Apple also enjoyed a remarkable career as a student-athlete. He was a 3-time All-UAA honoree and 1990 UAA Player of the Year. He earned All-America praise from the NSCAA in both 1989 and 1991, becoming just the second First Team All-American in program history.
With Apple as a player, the Yellowjackets soccer program produced four postseason appearances, including three trips to the NCAA Tournament.
Entering his final year this past fall, Apple ranked in the top-30 among active NCAA Division III coaches in winning percentage and total victories.
His legacy extends beyond the soccer pitch at the University as well. Apple served on multiple University committees over the years including Project Imagine, the Genesee Staff Council, the Student Conduct Hearing Board, and was an instructor for
The Leadership Experience.
In the summer of 2022, Apple was awarded the Lamar Riley Murphy Leadership Award, a distinction honoring individuals who are exemplary role models and demonstrate innovative and proactive leadership across the Rochester landscape.
A national search for the next University of Rochester men's soccer coach will begin immediately.