LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell women's soccer interim head coach
Mira Novak has announced the hiring of Joshua Schirmer and
Andrea Morrow as assistant coaches for the 2018 season.
Schirmer is an English FA Level 1, NSCAA Advanced National, USSF C and UEFA B license holder, and most recently coached for the Sparta Prague professional women's team. He led the team to a Czech First Division championship, Czech Women's Cup, and UEFA Women's Champions League qualification as a seeded team.
"Not only does Josh have the experience at the college level, but he has also worked internationally and with professional teams, which makes him a perfect fit for the program," Novak said. "His ability to interact with student-athletes and provide expert knowledge will help us get to the next level."
Previous to coaching internationally, Schirmer was on the women's soccer staff at the University of North Florida. He has also worked at Eastern Florida State College, first serving as an assistant coach of the men's team and later as associate head coach of the women's team.
"I'm excited to have the opportunity to join a great staff that has the program headed in the right direction," Schirmer said. "I hope to bring my knowledge of the game from various levels around the world to help the team accomplish new goals as a Division I program."
The Jacksonville, Fla., native played at Tennessee Wesleyan College, graduating magna cum laude in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in business finance and an economics minor. He was a two-time NAIA Scholar All-American and a three-year member of the Appalachian Athletic Conference All-Academic Team.
After graduating, he played professionally for one season in Hong Kong and spent seven years in Japan, including with the Urawa Reds from 2009-2012.
He is currently finishing his master's degree in educational leadership from the University of North Florida.
Morrow recently concluded her collegiate career as a midfielder at UMass Lowell, where she played in 61 games and made 37 starts. She has experience coaching New England Futbol Club (NEFC) and will join the FC Stars coaching staff this fall.
"Andrea is one of the most passionate coaches that I have had the opportunity to work with and I am thrilled for her to be able to positively affect the student-athletes in the program," Novak said. "Her knowledge of the game, combined with her desire to learn, will make her a fantastic coach."
"I am excited and grateful to receive this opportunity," Morrow said. "This institution has given me so much, and I am very fortunate to have the chance to contribute to an honorable program. Being a part of UMass Lowell rising to Division I has instilled a great amount of appreciation into both the soccer program and the athletic department overall."
Morrow graduated from UMass Lowell in the spring of 2018 with a public health major. The West Boylston native is now pursuing her MBA at UMass Lowell with a concentration in health care.
