Alex Fatovic will be the Wildcats’ new head coach, coming from NCAA Division I Columbia University in New York City, where he’d been an assistant men’s soccer coach since 2019.

Poggi had been the program’s only head coach since its creation in the fall of 2016 and had a record of 33-52-13 over six years.

“Alex is an exceptional communicator with a wide range of coaching knowledge and a clear vision for moving Northern Michigan men’s soccer forward,” NMU Director of Athletics Forrest Karr said in a university news release about Fatovic’s hiring. “Alex is very organized and brings many ideas to partner with the local soccer community.

“His coaching philosophy is focused on individual well-being and a positive student-athlete experience on and off the field.

Northern Michigan University new men's soccer head coach Alex Fatovic. (Photo courtesy NMU)

“He made a great impression on search committee members, current student-athletes and various other groups and individuals involved throughout the search process.”

Among his duties as an assistant coach at Columbia were carrying out daily operations such as planning and executing student-athlete training, film evaluation and breakdown, facilities coordination, travel, administrative tasks, compliance, managing the team budget, admissions, and coordinating camps, fundraisers and clinics held by the men’s soccer program.

Fatovic’s focus at Columbia was on goalkeeper coaching and defensive and midfield functional groups, according to the NMU release.

“I’m excited to bring a distinct style of play to NMU, where the demands and standards will be high every day with the goal of creating championship teams and exceptional characters that can represent the values and mission of this great university,” Fatovic said in the release. “I’ve had the pleasure to work for some first-class coaches and mentors….

“It’s through leadership, guidance and professionalism that I’ve been able to develop my own philosophy, which I look forward to bringing to Marquette.”

Northern Michigan University men's soccer coach David Poggi talks to his team during halftime of their game against Davenport on Sept. 26 at the NMU Soccer Field in Marquette. (Photo courtesy Daryl T. Jarvinen)

In 2020, Fatovic created the Xcel Keeper Club in New York City, which has a vision of developing goalkeepers of all levels in and around the NYC metropolitan area.

Before Columbia, Fatovic spent eight seasons as an assistant coach at Division I Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, from 2011-19. During that tenure, the Thundering Herd made the Conference USA tournament five times, reaching the semifinals twice with one finals appearance.

Fatovic’s primary responsibility at Marshall was goalkeeper coaching and recruiting.

As a player, Fatovic was a three-year starter in goal for Long Island University, playing from 2004-08. After graduating with honors in 2008, he continued his playing career with the Aegean Hawks of the U.S. Adult Soccer Association, helping the team to the USASA national championship in 2009.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.