Sasho Cirovski’s 33-Year Run Has Defined Maryland Men’s Soccer

When Sasho Cirovski was hired to lead the Maryland men’s soccer program 33 years ago, on Feb. 1, 1993, he saw potential in a team whose record in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) was suffering.

The Terps had endured back-to-back losing seasons and hadn’t earned an NCAA Tournament spot since 1986. Meanwhile, Cirovski was an up-and-coming coach with just two seasons of experience as the head man of a collegiate program under his belt. 

However, in those two years from 1991-92 at Hartford, he led the Hawks to back-to-back 13-6-3 records and consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time in school history.

“I’d come off two really successful seasons at the University of Hartford and developed a good reputation as a young coach,” Cirovski said. “I took over a five and 12 team and thought, ‘There’s no way I can do any worse,’”

Inheriting Maryland’s rebuilding soccer program, Cirovski and the Terps performed worse. During his inaugural season in 1993, the team finished 3-14-1, which was the fewest wins since 1980 and the most losses in program history. 

While the season was unsuccessful and not what he had envisioned, Cirovski didn’t give up hope. He and his coaching staff began recruiting, and in just one season, he brought Maryland back to prominence. It ended the 1994 season at 14-6-1, returning to the postseason. The turnaround sparked a streak of 26 consecutive winning seasons, all of which saw 10 or more wins. 

Cirovski led Maryland men’s soccer to three NCAA championship titles, nine College Cup appearances and 17 conference titles. He’s also taken the team to the NCAA tournament 30 times, with 22 consecutive appearances.

Not only has Cirovski achieved numerous team accomplishments, but he’s also an inductee into the Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame.

Cirovski is the winningest active Division I coach and has also made the most NCAA Tournament appearances in men’s Division I soccer history. He’s accomplished just about anything a coach could dream of. But most importantly, his passion for the game runs deep.  

“I like to think I’m a compassionate and nurturing coach, but also a very demanding coach that doesn’t allow players to fall below the standards of behavior, of performance [and] of excellence,” Cirovski said.

Cirovski spent much of his youth playing soccer, but he was always drawn to coaching rather than pursuing a career as a professional player. He was inspired by the impact a coach has on people’s lives.

Still, he spent some time creating a career as a player. He played college soccer for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee from 1981-84. After graduating, he played for the Milwaukee Wave and the North York Rockets from 1986-87. 

Cirovski says his coaches helped mold him into the person he is today.

“I’m an immigrant that came from the old Yugoslavia, which is Macedonia, and we didn’t have a lot,” Cirovski said. “Sometimes, coaches stepped in to help me have a better life.” 

Coaches have tremendous effects on shaping their players on and off the field. Alex Nitzl, a standout midfielder for the Terps from 2020-24, commended Cirovski for being someone his players can always talk to.

“No matter what it is, if it’s something personal, if it’s something soccer-related, school, whatever you want to talk about, I know for sure I can always go talk to him and be completely honest about it, even if things aren’t going the right way,” Nitzl said.

Matias De Jesus, the team's senior center midfielder, stated that Cirovski has had a profound impact on his development as a player.

“I got here when I was recovering from my hip surgery, and he was always supportive, checking in on me and always keeping tabs that I was making progress,” De Jesus said. “He pushes me, and he’s really been a big part of the player that I am today. He has made me improve my weaknesses and make my strengths even stronger.” 

Cirovski has high expectations for himself, his players and his coaching staff, and he always urges them to give their best effort.

“It’s almost like he’s seeing red, almost like he’s on the field,” De Jesus said. “He wants to go in and make a tackle, but through his coaching and motivation and emotions that he feels during the game.”

Cirovski blends his intense demands with care and empathy. His players described excellence as a single word that encapsulates his coaching philosophy. 

“I think what sets him apart is the standard of excellence that we set,” De Jesus said. “In every huddle, we always say that, and that’s truly what he has carried on through his coaching career.”

No matter the game, Cirovski emphasizes staying true to his team's style and not compromising their capabilities.

“On the field, I’m a coach that likes to play a brand of soccer that people will pay to watch,” Cirovski said. “Sometimes you can win with boring soccer, but I would rather lose playing the way we play than win playing boring soccer.” 

As a coach, it’s essential to build relationships with players. To accomplish this, Cirovski has one-on-one meetings with each of his players to ensure they’re doing okay in soccer and life. 

“I feel like we do quite a bit of individual interaction with players, whether they’re going through injuries or a loss of form or they’re going through a difficult hardship situation in their lives,” Cirovski said. “They always know whenever they want to schedule a meeting, we will always meet with them.”

Cirovski’s approach to his relationships has created an environment where, according to his players, the team feels like a family.

“No matter who it is, as soon as you’re part of his, I guess family you can call it at this point, he will care for you,” Nitzl said. “He has three daughters but many, many sons.”

After 33 years with the University of Maryland, Cirovski has remained proud of his contributions to Maryland. He’s created a college soccer giant and intends to continue cementing Maryland men’s soccer’s legacy. 

“I wanted to make something really special out of this program, and I think when I’m done, hopefully, people can recognize that the longevity of service and the quality that we’ve had over three-plus decades is pretty special,” Cirovski said.