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An assistant coach with a history of guiding teams to outstanding defensive performances, Michael Baker is set to begin his first season on the Pitt women's soccer coaching staff. Baker and fellow assistant coach Ileana Moschos join head coach Greg Miller in his first season as head coach of the Panthers.
"It was important for me to bring in two highly motivated people who could assist in transitioning Pitt women's soccer competitively into the ACC," Miller said. "I feel we have a real cohesion as a staff because I have known Mike and Ileana for a number of years, and they have known each other quite well, too. Each will have a lot of positive impact on our program going forward."
During his three seasons at Middle Tennessee State, Baker helped guide the Blue Raiders to three straight winning seasons, including a Sun Belt Conference title and the program's first NCAA Tournament bid in 2010.
During the conference championship season in 2010, Baker coached a MTSU defensive unit that allowed a goal or fewer in 15 consecutive matches, including every game against Sun Belt opponents. The team's 1.13 goals against average was its lowest in three years. With the responsibility of training the goalkeepers, Baker played an integral role in the success of Rebecca Cushing, who was named the Sun Belt Conference Tournament Most Outstanding Player following her shutout performance against No. 15 Denver in the championship game, as well as the National Goalkeeper of the Week for her performance.
Baker's success with collegiate goalkeepers began before his time with MTSU. Prior to joining the Blue Raiders, he spent three seasons at Northwestern State. In just his first season with the Demons, he helped the team's goalies turn in their best performance on record as they allowed just 19 goals all season and only six in conference play. During his three seasons on the staff, Northwestern State compiled a 29-25-6 record.
Baker's college coaching experience also includes two seasons as the assistant coach for both the men's and women's teams at Eckerd College from 2004-06 and two seasons as a volunteer assistant at Western Kentucky from 2002-04.
"I am very excited to have Mike join our staff," Miller said."He brings a good amount of experience from various programs along with a great work ethic. He has a real sense for the game, is an excellent coach, and a tireless recruiter with strong club ties all around the country, all of which will prove vital as we move into the ACC."
Baker's coaching licenses include a NSCAA Regional Diploma, a NSCAA National Youth Diploma, a NSCAA National Diploma, USSF "C", and Brazilian "D".
Baker graduated from Western Kentucky University in 2005. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture with an emphasis in equine science, while also completing a minor in marketing.
