The University of Hartford announced the hiring of two former student‑athletes to its men’s soccer coaching staff, naming Devon Jessop as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator and Erik Ribeiro as assistant coach and director of player performance.
Jessop, who logged 33 appearances for the Hawks and graduated in 2025 with a degree in sport management, previously contributed to Oakwood Soccer Club and Rhode Surf Soccer Club, bringing both playing experience and academic perspective to the role.
Ribeiro, a 25‑game veteran who scored once in 848 minutes and pursued semi‑professional opportunities from 2019 to 2022, will oversee player development and performance analytics, having worked with clubs such as Flamengo FC Futsal Academy, Oakwood Academy and other youth academies.
Their arrival aligns with the program’s ambition to achieve a third straight season of double‑digit wins, a milestone last reached in the 1990‑1992 stretch, and to begin the 2026 campaign with road contests against University of Saint Joseph on September 4 and Trinity College on September 6.
A Continuity‑Driven Vision
Head coach Mike Kulas described the new staff as integral to preserving the culture that has propelled the Hawks forward, blending recruiting expertise with data‑driven performance oversight to maintain the momentum built over recent years.