Tony Minatta - Soccer Coach - Iowa State University Athletics

Tony Minatta

Title:
Head Coach
Email:
tminatta@iastate.edu
Phone:
4-6421

Tony Minatta was named the fifth head coach in Iowa State soccer history in December of 2013 and has since led an historic turnaround in Ames. Under Minatta’s leadership, the 2016 Cyclones enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in program history, the product of which was a 10-8-1 season. The thrilling 2016 Cyclone campaign included two top-25 road wins, a feat that had been accomplished just once before in school history.

In 2018, Minatta rallied his injury-riddled Iowa State squad to a late-season surge, winning the final two matches of the regular season to clinch a bid to return to the Big 12 Championship. The Cyclone resurgence included a 2-0 victory at Oklahoma State, followed by a 1-0 win on senior night to extend their season. Under Minatta's guidance, the Cyclones had multiple individuals shine in 2018, namely Emily Steil and Kassi Ginther. Steil, a senior, enjoyed the best year of her career, leading Iowa State in points (11) and assists (5). She moved her way up to seventh on Iowa State's all-time list with 11 career assists during her final season in Ames. Ginther also had a breakout sophomore season under Minatta's tutelage, tying for first in the Big 12 with four goals during conference play.

The Cyclones finished 2016 No. 48 in the final RPI rankings, the best mark in program history, climbing 150 spots from their No. 198 finish in 2015. Iowa State’s jump of 150 spots was the second-biggest improvement among top-50 teams, putting Cyclone fans and the collegiate soccer world on notice that, under Minatta’s guidance, ISU is a program on the rise.

In 2016, Minatta crafted one of the best defensive units in the Big 12, as the Cyclones allowed just 20 goals all season, while goalkeeper Lindsey Hendon carded a school-record ten shutouts to rank No. 17 nationally. The emergence of Big 12 All-Freshman Team midfielder Hannah Cade is another promising development for the Cyclones’ future. Under Minatta’s tutelage, Cade scored three goals, including two game-winners in Big 12 play, and was the only player in the league to earn multiple Big 12 Freshman of the Week honors.

Minatta earned the Cyclone head coaching position after guiding ISU to its first Big 12 Tournament bid since 2007 as an interim head coach. Prior to that, he had served as an assistant coach at Iowa State for two years. Minatta helped return Cyclone soccer to the Big 12 Tournament with a fourth-place conference finish, the highest for ISU since 2007. Iowa State finished the 2013 season in the top five in the Big 12 in shots (289), assists (25), assists per game (1.25), saves (93) and shutouts (7). In his first year on staff, Minatta guided the Cyclones to their first 10-win season since 2005 and the second-most goals scored (37) in a season in program history.

Minatta came to Iowa State after serving as the assistant director of coaching at the Fort Collins (Colo.) Soccer Club since 2005. During his time with the Fort Collins Soccer Club, Minatta oversaw 16 girls’ teams that ranged from the under-11 to under-19 age groups. The Fort Collins, Colo., native also coordinated his players' efforts to be recruited by college soccer programs and helped nearly 40 players earn spots on NCAA rosters. Seven of the current players on the Iowa State soccer team played club soccer under Minatta’s tutelage, including five starters on the 2013 team.

Minatta continued his coaching education in the spring of 2013 when he travelled to Italy as a part of the U.S. Soccer international workshop. While in Italy, Minatta learned from coaches from AC Milan, Inter Milan, AS Roma, Lazio and the Italian national team.

Minatta coached three Colorado State Cup championship squads and eight finalists. He led his Under-19 team to the 2011 regional title and a berth in the finals at the national championship that year.

In addition to his vast knowledge at the club level, Minatta has a wealth of experience coaching for the Colorado Olympic Development Program (ODP). Minatta was the head coach for seven Colorado state girls' teams during his five years as a part of ODP and was a member of the Region 4 coaching staff from 2010-11.

Minatta earned his United States Soccer Federation (USSF) A License in 2009 and also boasts a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) International Premier Diploma and a NSCAA Advanced National Diploma.

Minatta served in the United States Marine Corps from 1993-1996 where he was a recipient of the Navy Achievement Medal and attained the rank of sergeant. He earned the Navy Achievement Medal for his outstanding leadership during a 1996 overseas deployment.

Minatta is not the only member of his family with soccer expertise. His father, Al, is a member of the Colorado Youth Soccer Hall of Fame. The soccer complex at the Fort Collins Soccer Club is named after the Minatta family.

Minatta graduated from the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in English.