University of Detroit Mercy head men's soccer coach Morris Lupenec resigned from his position this afternoon, midway through his 18th season with the Titans. UDM athletic director Keri Gaither made today's announcement.
The men's soccer team members were informed of Lupenec's decision earlier in the day. Assistant coach Nick Deren will assume command of the program on an interim basis until a successor to Lupenec is selected. A national search for the new head coach will begin after the season is completed.
“This was a difficult decision for me to make but, for personal reasons, I'm stepping down today. There's never a good time to make a choice like this, but I believe this is in the best interests of my family, Titan Athletics and our men's soccer program,” Lupenec said. “My 18 years as head coach have been an experience I will always remember. I wish only the best for the program moving forward.”
Lupenec exits with a total of 150 victories during his career at UDM. He was a three-time Horizon League Coach of the Year (1995,1996 and 2005).
Just the second men's head coach in Titan soccer history, Lupenec's teams have advanced to the conference championship game five times, have earned two regular-season crowns and one Horizon League Tournament title (1996). They advanced to NCAA post-season play for the first time ever in '96. Since Lupenec's arrival in 1992, Titan student-athletes have received 45 all-conference honors, either first or second team, and 22 of them have been named to the All-Newcomer team. In addition, three Titans were named Horizon League Player of the Year.
“Morris has been a loyal member of our Titan athletics staff and an important part of the University community during his tenure,” Gaither noted. “Morris brought respectability to the soccer program which continues today, and we thank him for all his hard work and efforts in helping to establish the Titan men's soccer program.”
Lupenec came to UDM after a successful playing and coaching career at nearby Oakland University. OU went to the Division II Tournament during each of his three seasons as an assistant to head coach Gary Parsons.
Interim coach Deren is in his sixth season on the coaching staff of his alma mater, UDM. Deren played two seasons for the Titans (1997 and 1999) and, following his college career, Deren played for the PDL's Detroit Dynamite as well as the Michigan Madness.
-Detroit Titans-
