Ken Masuhr was announced as the sixth head coach in program history Tuesday, Dec. 5, as made public by Vice President/Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich. Masuhr (pronounced Muh-suhr) comes to Coral Gables after spending nine seasons at Vanderbilt, the past six as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator.
Masuhr at a Glance
Vanderbilt University, Associate Head Coach & Recruiting Coordinator (2018-23)
Vanderbilt University, Assistant Coach (2015-17)
University of Pennsylvania, Assistant Coach (2011-14)
Monmouth University, Assistant Coach & Recruiting Coordinator (2009-10)
Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham, Assistant Coach & Recruiting Coordinator (2007-08)
Kean University, Assistant Coach (2005-06)
The Masuhr File
Personal: Wife, Megan; Children, Landon and Miller
Education: Bachelor’s, Richard Stockton University; master’s, Kean University
Certifications: “A” license from United States Soccer Federation (USSF); Premier Diploma from National Soccer Coaches of America (NSCAA)
From Coach Masuhr
“I am honored to begin the next chapter of my coaching journey at the University of Miami. The opportunity to contribute to the storied legacy of the Hurricanes is both thrilling and inspiring. I look forward to working with the exceptional athletes and dedicated staff that make up this esteemed program. I would like to thank Dan Radakovich and the search committee for making this process feel so seamless. I am grateful for the trust placed in me and am eager to bring my passion for coaching to the Hurricanes. Go Canes!”
During Masuhr’s tenure in Nashville on head coach Darren Ambrose’s staff, the Commodores captured five NCAA Tournament berths as well as an SEC regular season crown in 2018, an SEC East Division title in 2019 and an SEC Tournament championship in 2020. Vanderbilt defeated 16 ranked teams over that stretch after registering just eight wins over ranked teams in program history prior to Ambrose and Masuhr’s arrival in 2015.
Masuhr focused on the Commodores’ defensive unit and developed some of the stingiest back lines in the SEC while also tutoring players like Myra Konte, who became the first Vanderbilt player selected in the NWSL Draft in January 2021 when she was picked 30th overall by the North Carolina Courage. Masuhr helped the Commodores recruit an All-SEC Freshman honoree in each of his seasons in Nashville.
In 2022, Masuhr helped Vanderbilt earn its fifth NCAA Tournament bid in six seasons and defeat Clemson in the first round. Vanderbilt’s 2020 SEC Tournament title was the first tournament title for the program since 1994, and its 14 goals during the tournament set a conference record. Masuhr and the Commodores rose to No. 4 in the nation — their highest ranking in program history — and earned their first-ever NCAA Tournament seed at No. 16.
While winning the SEC East in 2019, Masuhr’s stout defense only allowed 13 goals all season – good for the second-best mark in program history. Vanderbilt also posted 11 shutouts, making that the third-best mark in program history. In 2018, the Commodores reached the NCAA Tournament and hosted a postseason game for the first time since 2005. The 2017 campaign was a breakthrough season for Masuhr and the Commodores as VU made its first NCAA Tournament since the 2006 season and won the program’s first NCAA Tournament match since 1998, holding opponents to one goal or fewer in 17 of 22 games.
Prior to arriving in Nashville, Masuhr spent four seasons at Penn on Ambrose’s staff. The Quakers never allowed more than 19 goals over those four seasons, and the team led the nation in shutout percentage and set a program record by allowing just seven goals in 2011. In 2013, Penn recorded 12 shutouts, yielded just eight goals and went 12-1-4, setting a program record for fewest losses in a season.
Masuhr joined Penn from Monmouth, where he spent two seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator with the Hawks. In his first season, Monmouth won the Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament championship and advanced to the first round of NCAAs.
Masuhr graduated from Richard Stockton with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and he also holds a Master’s of Public Administration degree from Kean University. As a coach, Masuhr has an “A” license from the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) as well as the Premier Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).
Masuhr and his wife Megan, the varsity girls soccer coach at the University School of Nashville, have two children, Landon and Miller.
What They’re Saying About Coach Masuhr
“Ken was instrumental in establishing Vanderbilt soccer’s winning culture and ensuring the program’s continuous success. I believe I speak for past, current, and future players when I express our overwhelming joy for Ken, his wife Megan, and their children Landon and Miller, as he takes on the role of Head Coach for the women’s program at the University of Miami! Congratulations!”
– Haley Hopkins, NWSL’s NC Courage
“Miami has hired a great recruiter, a man of integrity and someone who is passionate about developing the whole of the student-athlete. He has a great soccer mind and will elevate Miami’s program in the future.”
– Darren Ambrose, Head Women’s Soccer Coach, Vanderbilt University
“Ken is one of the hardest working and shrewdest young coaches in our sport today. He has been a huge part of the recent success at Vanderbilt, and before that, UPenn and Monmouth. A great eye for talent, a bright soccer mind and a strong personality he is certainly well equipped to step up to the challenge in a great soccer conference.”
– David Nolan, Head Women’s Soccer Coach, Georgetown University
“The University of Miami has made a fantastic hire. Ken is a terrific recruiter, a passionate leader, and is always thinking the game. Ken will work tirelessly to bring the U to the top of ACC women’s soccer.”
– Dr. Krissy Turner, Douglas N. Brush Women’s Soccer Coach, University of Pennsylvania
“This is a great hire by Miami! Along with Coach Ambrose, Ken helped turn Vanderbilt into one of the top teams in the SEC in a short amount of time, winning several championships in their first five seasons. He’s an outstanding recruiter and Vanderbilt teams are always extremely well organized, disciplined, and play a good brand of soccer. I’m excited to see what Ken can do at Miami!”
– Wes Hart, Head Women’s Soccer Coach, University of Alabama
