ST. LOUIS, Mo. - After a historic 27-year run at the helm of the Washington University in St. Louis men's soccer program, head coach
Joe Clarke has announced his retirement. Clarke took over the program as the sixth coach in Bear history before the 1997 campaign.
In 27 seasons, Clarke has amassed an overall record of 275-141-55, good for a .642 winning percentage. With his 160th career victory, Clarke became the winningest coach in program history as he surpassed Joe Carenza Jr. (159 career wins).
"Three years ago I heard a message at church. I don't remember the verses but they were about family. The pastor applied the verses to the different generations. To my generation he said "for you this is your time of influence". That struck me. It caused much reflection about where and how I used the time I have, my coaching gifts, family finances, and my availability".
"My wife, Cindy, and I have had extensive conversations since that sermon about these subjects. Bottom line I needed some intentional adjustments in my life in order to live as I am called to do. This is the time to make those changes", said Clarke.
Clarke was named the Estakhri Family Men's Soccer Head Coach in 2017, when the men's soccer head coaching position became the first endowed coaching position at WashU through a generous gift from Petro and Mary Estakhri.
"Joe's commitment and dedication to developing young people through the game of soccer has positively impacted numerous lives. His coaching legacy is being the example of the coaches' role in developing champions for life", said Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs & The John M. Schael Director of Athletics, Anthony J. Azama.
"We are fortunate to have had his leadership for over 25 years", said Azama.
Clarke wasted little time adjusting to WashU as he led teams to the NCAA Tournament in his first three seasons at the helm (1997-1999).
Clarke has produced 25 winning seasons, not counting the COVID-19 Pandemic 2020 season. During his tenure, the Bears claimed four University Athletic Association titles and advanced to the NCAA Tournament on 11 occasions. WashU last won the UAA in 2021 and last punched its ticket to the NCAA Tournament in 2021.
Clarke secured four UAA titles (1999, 2011, 2012, 2021) and was named UAA Coach of the Year twice (2011 and 2021).
The Bears advanced to the NCAA Tournament 11 times (1997, 1998, 1999, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2021).
In 19 NCAA Tournament matches, Clarke has guided the Bears to an 8-7-4 postseason record (.526 winning percentage).
In Clarke's 27 seasons, he led the Bears to double-digit victories in 16 seasons, including five 14+ win campaigns.
WashU's deepest run in the NCAA Tournament came in the 2007 season where Clarke and the Bears advanced to the quarterfinal round. In the tournament, WashU defeated Carthage (2-1), Dominican (Ill.) (1-0), and Transylvania (1-0).
Under Clarke's tutelage, WashU produced 16 wins in the 2007 season, the most in program history since 1995. The 16 victories are the most under Clarke and the squad's highest win total since the 1995 season. In addition to piloting the Bears to their most successful season in 12 years, Clarke was inducted into the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame September 13, 2007.
In 2010, WashU began the year with a 10-0-2 record, marking the program's best start to a season since 1979. With the phenomenal start, Clarke was named the 2010 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Central Region Coach of the Year status for the first time in his career.
In 2021, the Bears notched its best season in over a decade, earning 13 wins en route to a UAA Championship. Washu ended the 2021 season with a record of 13-3-1, grabbing its first outright UAA title since 1999 and most wins in the regular season since 2011. WashU advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, marking its first NCAA postseason win since 2015 with the 1-0 victory over University of Wisconsin-Superior.
Clarke has coached seven All-Americans, including first-team honorees Harry Beddo (2010), Cody Costakis (2011), and
Sergio Rivas (2021). Additionally, Clarke has seen four CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, including Ian Klaus (third team, 1999; first team, 2000), Colin Robinson (first team, 2004), and Elie Zenner (third team, 2007).
Academics have always been important to Clarke, most recently his team received national recognition in spring of 2023 for their 3.77 cumulative GPA.
In total, under Clarke's watching eye, he has coached 123 All-UAA honorees. Additionally, Clarke secured 54 United Soccer Coaches All-Region selections.
From 1997-2001, Clarke recorded a 10+ win season each year, having won 14 matches in 1997 and 1999. Furthermore, Clarke captured a 10+ win season from 2010-2013, advancing to the NCAA Tournament three of those four seasons.
Clarke came to the Danforth Campus after a 14-year stint at Division I Saint Louis University (SLU). In his 14 seasons at SLU, Clarke grabbed a record of 205-74-30 (.712 winning percentage), which included 12 NCAA Tournament appearances.
Over the course of Clarke's 41-year collegiate coaching career, Clarke has led his teams to 10+ wins 30 times. Clarke, at SLU and WashU, wraps up his historic career with a record of 480-215-85, good for a .670 winning percentage. In 41 seasons, Clarke has advanced to the NCAA Tournament on 22 separate occasions.
No stranger to St. Louis, Clarke grew up playing in the youth soccer leagues of St. Louis. Upon high school graduation, Clarke enrolled at Saint Louis University in 1972 and graduated with a degree in marketing in 1976.
Just like his coaching success, Clarke also saw success on the pitch as a student-athlete. Clarke was a member of the SLU soccer team that won back-to-back national championships in 1972 and 1973. As a defender, Clarke earned All-America status in 1975.
After his collegiate playing days were over, Clarke played for the St. Louis Stars and California Surf. While playing with the Surf, Clarke earned his law degree at Pepperdine University.
Clarke has a United States A license and the United soccer coaches advanced premier license.
A national search for the programs seventh coach in men's soccer history will begin immediately.
