Shenandoah University Men's Soccer

Shenandoah University entered a new era in March, 2022 with the appointment of former Susquehanna University standout Brandon Kates as the head men's soccer coach.   Kates came to Shenandoah after three seasons as an assistant coach at Widener University and is the seventh full-time head coach in program history. In 2023, Kates earned ODAC Coach of the Year after leading his team to its most wins in over 20 years. The men finished fourth in the ODAC and made it's first ever appearance in the conference semifinals after winning the program's first ever home playoff game in the quarterfinals. Along with Kates' coach of the year accolade, four of his players earned All-ODAC honors, the most in program history. Kates helped the Pride to 19 wins in the two full seasons with the program and a 2-1-1 mark in the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign. The 19 wins represent the most successful two-year span in the past five years and Widener had a pair of post-season wins for the first time in program history.   He also was instrumental in recruiting the program’s first-ever MAC Offensive Player of the Year and first-ever All-Region player.   Prior to his time at Widener, Kates was an assistant at DI Lafayette College from 2017-2019 after serving as an assistant at his alma mater, Susquehanna University, from 2015-2017. The Cherry Hill, New Jersey native was a third-year starter for the River Hawks and a third team All-America honoree following his senior season.   A 2013 Susquehanna graduate, Kates got his coaching start at Lycoming College in 2013. He was an assistant for the Warriors for two seasons.   Year Overall ODAC Place 2022 4-6-6 1-5-4 12th 2023 9-5-4 5-2-3 4th 2024 10-7-3 5-3-2 6th 2025 5-9-4 2-5-2 9th Totals 28-27-17 13-15-11  

Joseph Dell'Estate joined the Shenandoah University coaching staff with a diverse background in coaching and a strong commitment to athlete development. His coaching journey has spanned various levels, from youth programs to high school varsity teams, and he brings this breadth of experience to his role as an assistant coach at Shenandoah. Before arriving at Shenandoah, Dell'Estate served as an assistant varsity coach at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter, PA, from 2018 to 2019. During his time there, he was instrumental in developing and implementing game plans and practice drills tailored to the team’s weekly objectives. Dell'Estate also took on head coaching responsibilities when required, demonstrating his leadership and ability to manage a team effectively. In addition to his high school coaching role, Dell'Estate has been deeply involved in youth soccer through his work with the Hawaii Soccer Academy since January 2020. At the academy, he created daily practice plans for K-12 players, focusing on building individual skills while fostering a strong team environment. His innovative coaching methods include leading both individual and group training sessions and producing online training videos to support player development outside of regular practice sessions. Dell'Estate's coaching career also includes experience with Penn Manor High School's summer camps, where he worked from 2016 to 2019. There, he led drills for players in grades K-8, emphasizing the importance of fun, teamwork, and leadership. He has also conducted private sessions for young athletes, helping them to enhance their game and leadership skills. Dell'Estate holds a background in business from his studies at Susquehanna University, followed by further education at Millersville University. His business acumen complements his coaching skills, enabling him to approach team management and player development with a strategic mindset. Dell'Estate is dedicated to nurturing the athletic and personal growth of his players. His coaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of developing individual skills within the context of a supportive and cohesive team environment. At Shenandoah, Dell'Estate continues to apply his diverse coaching experience to help athletes achieve their full potential on and off the field. #GoSUHornets