WORCESTER, Mass. - Long-time Worcester State University men’s soccer head coach Jason Willis has announced he will be stepping down from the position.
Willis has served as head coach at Worcester State since the 2010 season, compiling 77 wins, 92 losses, and 16 draws, for a winning percentage of .459. He led the Lancers to a pair of Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Regular Season Championships, including in 2016, when Worcester State won its first MASCAC Tournament Championship in 11 seasons.
Willis’ tenure began with a bang when he coached his first game for the Lancers on Sept. 1, 2010. Worcester State escaped with a 1-0 overtime win against crosstown rival WPI, on a goal ironically assisted by freshman Brian Cormier. Later in Willis’ reign, Cormier would serve as an assistant coach under Willis.
In 2011, Willis coached the Lancers to the ECAC Tournament for the first time in four seasons. The Lancers fell to Castleton State in double overtime in the Quarterfinals, but Willis returned the team to the tournament two years later in 2013. The 2013 team defeated Mount Ida College 2-1 in the Quarterfinals, before falling to Lasell in the ECAC Semifinals.
Willis got his lone MASCAC Championship in 2016, defeating Fitchburg State 4-2 in the conference title game at Coughlin Field. The win propelled the Lancers to the NCAA Tournament, where the team fell short on a tally in the 89th minute.
Willis became the program’s all-time leader in coaching wins when he won his 62nd game on Sept. 1, 2018, as the Lancers came from behind to knock off Eastern Nazarene. A year later, he would record his final win for Worcester State, as his Lancers shut out Westfield State 3-0 in the MASCAC Quarterfinals on Nov. 5, 2019.
“I would like to thank everyone in the Athletics office for the fun ride I had the last 11 years,” said Willis. “For the staff members that have been around for a while, we know how far the department and campus has come.”
“I would like to thank Coach Willis for the great job he did leading our men’s soccer program the last 11 seasons. He will be missed,” said Worcester State Director of Athletics Michael Mudd. “Jason always recruited well and put together a diverse roster that was always a difficult team to play against every season, as evidenced by the success of the team.
“I wish Jason continued success and enjoyment as he continues to spend more time with his family in coming years.”
“I cannot say enough how grateful I was for this experience,” said Willis. “I would like to say a special thanks to the athletic trainers, Michael Mudd, and to my man (and Worcester State women’s soccer coach) Kevin Cumberbatch.”
A national search for the next Worcester State men’s soccer coach is already underway.
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