Matt Weiss has officially started as Ohio Wesleyan University's men's soccer head coach, it was announced by athletics director Doug Zipp.

Weiss takes over for Jay Martin, the winningest coach in NCAA men's soccer history, who retired as the Battling Bishops' head coach after the 2024 season.

"I'd like to thank President Matt vandenBerg, Doug Zipp, and Dr. Jay Martin for their trust and support for allowing me the opportunity to lead one of the best programs in college soccer," Weiss said.  "I've been incredibly fortunate to be a part of this program for over a decade while having a legend like Jay as my mentor.  I'm very excited to build on the pride and tradition of this historic program."

"We are very excited to have Matt as the head coach for Ohio Wesleyan men's soccer," Zipp said.  "Matt is a tireless recruiter, a seasoned strategist for game preparation and scouting, and most importantly, he lives the history, pride and tradition of OWU men's soccer.  Matt is exactly the right coach to lead our program well into the future."

Weiss has served as associate head coach at Ohio Wesleyan for the last 5 seasons and has been on the Battling Bishop coaching staff for a total of 11 seasons.

Since joining the Ohio Wesleyan staff in 2014, Weiss has been a part of 9 NCAA Division III tournament appearances, including the 2014 national semifinals; 2 North Coast Athletic Conference championships, and 2 NCAC tournament championships, while helping the Bishops compile an overall record of 134-50-27 and an overall conference record of 66-9-12.  During that time, Ohio Wesleyan players have compiled 7 All-America, 8 Academic All-America®, 30 all-region, 69 all-conference and 11 individual conference Player of the Year awards.

Weiss recently finished a 7-year stint coaching club soccer with Ohio Premier in the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL).  Weiss finished with a 101-16-15 record in the conference and achieved 5 league championships, 3 Sweet-16 appearances, an Elite-8 appearance, and multiple top-5 national rankings.  Defensively, his teams finished with the fewest goals allowed in the country 3 times.

Before coming to Ohio Wesleyan, Weiss coached at the high school level, where he was named the Columbus Assistant Coach of the Year in 2010 and conference Coach of the Year in 2012.

He holds a USSF "B" license and a United Soccer Coaches Sports Performance Diploma.

Weiss is a 2008 graduate of Otterbein College.  He played 3 years for the Cardinals and graduated with a bachelor's degree in sports management.  Weiss continued his education with a master's degree in coaching education from Ohio University.

He is a native of Worthington, Ohio.

What they're saying about Matt Weiss:

Jay Martin, former Ohio Wesleyan University head coach
"I am looking forward to watching Matt take the program to the next level.  He has been with Ohio Wesleyan for 11 years and is steeped in the culture of the program.  I am confident he will continue this culture.   He is a great tactician.   The play on the field will improve.  He will do very well."

Brian Maisonneuve, head coach, The Ohio State University
"First of all I would love to congratulate Jay on an unbelievable career!  It was an honor and privilege to watch him coach and to see the program he built at OWU.

"There's not a better person to take over the program.  Matt has an incredible passion for the game and for building young men on and off the field.   I really enjoy the way Matt sees the game and he has an outstanding eye for talent.  Ohio Wesleyan has such a great tradition built by Jay and I look forward to watching Matt continue that rich tradition while making it his own.  This soccer community is excited to have Matt in charge at OWU."

David Brandt, head coach, Bucknell University
"Through my own DIII background as player, assistant coach, and then head coach at Messiah, I have been familiar with OWU soccer since the late '80s, and therefore, know well the legacy, history, impact, and quality of Jay Martin and what is and has become a storied program in men's college soccer.  I am absolutely thrilled to see Matt Weiss being given the responsibility to lead the next phase and chapter of the program's history.  Matt is an excellent coach and leader, and moreover, a humble, high-quality, and principled person.  He is an amazing choice to lead the program and I very much look forward to following the program's continued dominance and success under Matt's guidance."

Justin Serpone, head coach, Amherst College
"Matt is one of the best young coaches in DIII men's soccer.  Ohio Wesleyan has an incredible history and Matt is a terrific choice to continue that success -- on and off the field."