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Rich Costanzo
Rich Costanzo enters his second season with the George Mason men's soccer program for the 2023 fall season. He is the Patriots' 11th men's soccer head coach in program history.
Costanzo joined the Patriots after five seasons as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh men's soccer program, where he helped guide the Panthers to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances (2019-2021) and an appearance in the College Cup.
During the 2021 season, the Panthers won the ACC Coastal Division Regular Season Championship and finished the season as the top-ranked scoring offense in the conference, averaging 2.47 goals per match. Pitt qualified for the NCAA Tournament as the No. 5 overall seed and advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight.
In 2020-21, Costanzo helped guide the Panthers to a record-breaking season with the team posting a 16-4 overall record and a 9-1 record in ACC play. Pitt went on to win the ACC Costal Division title and earned a berth to the NCAA College Cup for the first time in program history.
During the 2020-21 season, the Panthers broke single-season school records with 142 points and 44 assists, the club finished as the fifth best scoring offense in the nation. Pitt held the No. 1 ranking for five weeks in the United Soccer Coaches Poll (Oct. 20, 2020), holding the top spot for the first time in program history. It marked just the third time in Pitt Athletics history (football, men's basketball) that a team was ranked No. 1 in its respective poll.
In 2019, Costanzo helped guide the Panthers to a 10-8-2 record overall and a 4-3-1 conference mark as Pitt earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship Tournament for the first time since 1965 and reached the second round.
Pitt hosted its first ACC Tournament game and recorded a 2-1 overtime victory over NC State in the quarterfinal round, which advanced the Panthers into the ACC semifinals for the first time in school history. Pitt also upset No. 1 Virginia, 2-0, on the road on Oct. 18 for its first victory over a No. 1 team in program history.
During his second year at Pitt in the 2018 season, Costanzo helped head coach Jay Vidovich lead the Panthers to wins over two ranked opponents in No. 12 NC State and No. 7 Virginia in the ACC Men's Soccer Tournament. The victory over the Cavaliers marked the Panthers' first ACC Tournament win in program history. Pitt collected its first conference win on the season against the Wolfpack and picked up another ACC victory over Clemson on Oct. 5.
In his first year on the Panthers staff in 2017, Costanzo assisted Pitt to wins over three ranked opponents (No. 7 Notre Dame, No. 13 Columbia and No. 21 Syracuse). The win against Syracuse was the Panthers' first win over a ranked opponent since the 2008 season and the first conference win for Pitt since moving into the ACC at the start of the 2013 season.
Costanzo also spent three years as an assistant coach at Army West Point from 2014-2017. The Black Knights made three straight trips to the Patriot League Tournament and advanced to the semifinals in 2014.
Costanzo played at Penn State (2004-2005), where he was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2004 and was also selected Freshman All-America by Soccer America and TopDrawerSoccer. He transferred to the University of Maryland (2006-2008), and as a senior, he captained the 2008 squad to the NCAA Division I National Championship and ACC Championship.
Costanzo graduated from the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business in December 2008 with a Bachelor of Science degree in General Business.
After his collegiate career Costanzo played in more than 100 games over five years professionally, with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (43 games), Rochester Rhinos (2010-11) and the Minnesota Thunder (20 games) of the United States Soccer League (USL).
In 2012, Costanzo founded the Pittsburgh Soccer Academy (PSA), a training organization for youth soccer players. The program, under Costanzo's direction, offers players one-on-one training, group training, camps and clinics in the Pittsburgh area.
Costanzo holds a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) "A" Coaching License and a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Premier Diploma. He is also a U.S. Soccer Network Scout where he evaluates U.S. Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) teams and players.
Following a successful year on the sidelines in 2015, Costanzo was selected by the NSCAA for the "30 under 30" Coaching Development Program, a year-long education and mentorship program for a selected group of up-and-coming coaches who are making soccer their career.
Costanzo attended Thomas Jefferson High School, and was inducted into the Heinz History Hall of Fame in 2012. He was a member of the U18 National Team in 2004 and was a part of the Olympic Development Program from 2002-2005.
Jay Vidovich, Head Coach University of Pittsburgh Men's Soccer
"Winning is a part of Rich's DNA. Rich has a great soccer IQ, he understands the culture of a winning team, and will do a tremendous job mentoring, teaching, and motivating his players. I look forward to seeing George Mason Soccer return to successful ways. We will greatly miss Rich at Pitt. He has been such a key factor in the growth and success of our Pitt Soccer program."
Sasho Cirovski, Head Coach University of Maryland Men's Soccer
"George Mason could not have hired a better coach or person in Rich Costanzo. As a player, he was a fierce competitor and tremendous leader. Rich's positive influence in the locker room and on the field was instrumental in Maryland winning the 2008 National Championship. As a coach, he has learned from many wonderful mentors – but his strength of character and instincts will allow him to develop his own style and philosophy that will excite and inspire his players. Rich is a tireless worker, loyal and extremely driven. He is the right person at the right time to re-energize the Mason soccer program. I am excited and proud to watch Rich lead the Mason men's soccer program."
Russell Payne, Head Coach Northwestern University Men's Soccer
"During his time as student-athlete at the University of Maryland, Richie was the most trusted, respected, and supportive teammate in the program. He has exemplified those same positive character qualities now as coach, educator and mentor to young student-athletes. George Mason has made the best investment towards its future."
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