CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Andre Martins has been named the next head coach of the Lesley University men's soccer program, as announced earlier today by Athletic Director Dan Campagna.
"Andre has an impressive coaching pedigree that aligns with his vision for our program," said Campagna. "Having seen success at all three NCAA Divisions in some capacity, we're confident he will create a winning culture with positive results on the pitch and in the classroom."
Martins joins the Lynx after previously serving as the Director of Soccer and Program Development at NCAA Division I institution Bryant University for the past two years. In his two seasons at Bryant, Martins was a member of various coaching staffs that combined for a 26-8-8 record and a 9-4-0 mark in America East Play in the 2023 and 2024 seasons. During those two years, Martins and the Bulldogs played in the America East Championship twice and won the conference title in 2023. The team also appeared in the First Round NCAA Tournament for the first time in team history during the 2023 season.
Also, during his first year with the Bulldogs, Martins was named the head coach of the New England Futbol Club, Development Player League (DPL), in March 2022, where he is still the head coach today.
Before joining the DPL, Martins was the First-Team Assistant Coach of the Franklin Pierce University Ravens in 2021-22. With the Ravens, Martins served on a coaching staff that guided Franklin Pierce University to the program's second national title after an incredible 25-0-1 overall record while finishing 10-0-1 in conference play.
Martins joined the Ravens from previous stints as a Graduate Assistant Coach of men's soccer at Goucher College in Baltimore, Md., in 2019-20 and was also an Assistant Coach with the Salve Regina Women's Soccer program in 2015-16.
During Martins' time in Baltimore, he was a staff coach for Baltimore Union Soccer Club, where he led the Boy's Elite Team. In addition, Martins was a Physical Education Instructor at Saint Raphael Academy in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and a staff coach for the local Rhode Island soccer club, Bruno United FC.
"I would like to send a big thank you to President Steinmayer, Vice-President Englehardt, Director Campagna, and all of the Lesley University staff for putting their trust in me to lead the Men's Soccer Program here at Lesley University," said Martins. "It will be my mission to make the Lesley University community proud of our program's culture and dedication on and off the field. I also want to thank my family and friends who have supported me throughout my coaching career, and with this step, I feel something special coming. I am looking forward to getting to work with everyone here and with the guys on the team. I know that with a hard work ethic, passion, and determination, we will achieve our goals of bringing Lesley University Men's Soccer back to the highest levels of NCAA Division Three soccer."
Martins hails from Somerset, Mass. where he earned his bachelor's degree in Physical Education from Bridgewater State University in 2015 and a Master of Education degree from Goucher College in 2021. Martins also possesses the United States Soccer Federation "B" License and is currently enrolled in the UEFA (Union European Football Association) "B" License with the Football Association of Wales. He is also currently working on obtaining his "A" License from the United States Soccer Federation as well.
About Lesley University
Lesley University is a proud member of the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) and proudly graduates more mental health professionals and specialized education teachers than any other college or university in New England.
Located just outside Boston and spanning from Porter Square to Harvard Square in the vibrant city of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Lesley extends the NAC into one of the most dynamic learning environments in the country.
Lesley is renowned for its unique portfolio of programs focused on Education, Mental Health and Well-Being, and Art and Design. The university also offers Business and Liberal Arts programs that support these key disciplines and a special program, the Threshold Program, for neurodiverse individuals to learn on-campus or be supported in independent living and working. More than half of Lesley's student population of 4,500 are graduate students.
Celebrating over 25 years of excellence, the North Atlantic Conference was founded in 1997 as the North Atlantic Women's Conference (NAWC) to provide opportunities for female student athletes to compete in postseason tournaments. The NAWC added men's sports and was renamed the North Atlantic Conference in 1999. The NAC currently sponsors 18 men's and women's championships as members of NCAA Division III, including baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's swimming & diving, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's outdoor track & field, and women's volleyball.