After one of the best seasons Queen’s Men’s Soccer has ever seen, they’ve made a coaching change in hopes of continuing their upwards trajectory and fostering further growth within their student-athletes.
On June 14, the Gaels announced they’d be signing Kasy Kiarash as their new Head Coach.
Kiarash just wrapped up a season as an Assistant Coach of the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks, where he won the OUA East Division in 2022, finishing second with an 8-1-3 record this past season.
Prior to his time as a Ridgeback, Kiarash served the TMU Bold as an Assistant Coach and with Graceland University of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) in the United States.
Kiarash brings with him a deep well of experience and knowledge, he’s coached at the national and professional level, working alongside the Orlando City Soccer Club, Toronto Football Club, and both Guyanese and Canadian U20 National Teams.
Kiarash noted that his approach to coaching has taken time to find its form, sculpted by all of the coaches he himself had been coached by, and those he was able to work alongside.
“Through the last 10 years I would say, a decade of coaching in OUA sport and being involved in the national team and working with MLS teams in Orlando City, CPL teams like Halifax, and having an opportunity to work with fantastic coaches and leaders, one thing that sticks out to me is the idea of servant leadership,” Kirarash said in an interview with The Journal.
Kiarash continued to emphasize that his focus has been, and always will be, his players—not just fostering their development on the pitch but also their growth as leaders, scholars, and professionals away from the field, hence his dedication to his servant style of leadership.
Working as an assistant coach, scout, and support staff has proved beneficial towards Kiarash’s development as a head coach, his goal was always to command a team of his own, and he’s extremely excited to impact the Gaels in a positive manner.
Kiarash emphasized his excitement towards working with numerous Gaels players, continuing to joke about the relief of not having to kick off against star midfielder, Jadon Lashley, ArtSci ’25.
“It’s exciting to come over on this side and, you know, not be scouting against them and prepping against them. Now I don’t have to game plan for a Jadon in the midfield, giving me a headache for 90 minutes,” Kiarash said.
In terms of looking to add to the Gaels roster, Kiarash disclosed a bit about what makes an attractive prospect.
“We’re shooting for not just winning games, but to win important things, to win a conference, to win a national championship. In order to do great things, you need great people, and it starts with character.
That character has to match the ingredients of being a Gael, not just being a good player, but being a good person on and off the field, being a good teammate, having grit, perseverance, and living above the line is what I like to say.”
Kiarash isn’t just looking to take the Gaels to new heights on the pitch, also aiming to open up opportunities for his student-athletes off the pitchas well.
“No specific goals, but if I would say something it is to get the absolute best out of these players and help them reach the next level, whatever that means for them, whether it’s connections to help them play abroad, whether it’s to help them with non-soccer related things like getting an internship or helping them to start their own business by getting them connected with our alumni, because I always go back to this, it’s much bigger than winning games,” Kiarash said.
Before refocusing on his U20 Canadian National team, which is currently competing in Chile, Kiarash had this to say to the members of the Queen’s community.
“I’m extremely thankful for the opportunity, the city looks beautiful. I’m looking forward to meeting the community, getting involved, and if there’s anyway the Men’s Soccer team can be involved or help in anyway, reach out, I love connecting with the community.”
The Gaels will be kicking off at home against the Laurentian Voyageurs on Sunday, Sept. 8, make sure to come out and give Coach Kiarash the warm welcome he deserves!
Tags
Kasy Kiarash, Men’s Soccer, QJ Sports
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