CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Lesley University Director of Athletics Jen Benway has announced Jim Costa as the new head coach of the Lynx men's soccer program. Costa, who has spent the past seven years as an assistant coach under Paul Vasconcelos, has helped lead the program to four conference finals, four ECAC Tournaments and an NCAA Tournament Automatic Bid following the first NECC Championship in program history in 2011. 

​"Jim is an enthusiastic, skilled, seasoned coach who has helped our men's soccer team grow from an upstart program to a regionally-respected program over the course of his seven seasons as an assistant," said Benway. "His expertise is invaluable and his familiarity with our University and Athletics program will ensure the successful tradition of our men's soccer team will continue with him as the head coach."

Costa has more than 20 years of coaching experience at the club, ODP, PDL and college levels to go along with his collegiate and semi-professional playing experience. He is a former Massachusetts Olympic Development coach and is also a staff coach with the Real Boston Rams, who play in the USL Premier Development League. Costa also served as the Technical Director for the Real Boston Soccer Academy prior to joining Black Watch Premier Rhode Island as a head coach and staff coach in January 2014.

After completing his high school career where he was selected as a three time league all-star and MVP his senior season, Costa went on to play college soccer at Massasoit CC helping the program win their first NJCAA Div-1 National Championship in 1986. After graduating, he began a 10 year career as a semi-professional player in the competitive L.A.S.A. league where he went on to become a three time all-star while representing his team as captain for eight of those ten seasons.

Costa currently holds the NSCAA Premier Badge, USSF B License, KNVB Dutch Advanced Diploma, USSF National Youth License, NSCAA National Goalkeeping Diploma and NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma.  He is a member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) as well as the Portuguese Soccer Coaches Association of America.

He currently resides in Avon, MA with his wife Diane and 2 year old son Kaden.