ITHACA, N.Y. – Ithaca College Associate Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Susan Bassett '79 announced on Monday that Gabe Kuhn has been selected as the new men's soccer head coach. Kuhn joins the Bombers as the 12th coach in program history and will officially start his duties on February 17.
"I am truly excited to introduce Gabe Kuhn as our new head men's soccer coach," said Bassett. "He brings a track record of competitive success, passion, leadership, and a commitment to the educational value of sports participation. I am confident that Coach Kuhn will lead Bomber men's soccer with integrity and sportsmanship. I look forward to having him join our Ithaca College community and athletics family."
"I am deeply honored and excited to be named the next head men's soccer coach at Ithaca College," Kuhn said. "I would like to thank Director of Athletics Susan Bassett, the search committee, the coaches, and the student-athletes for placing their trust in my vision for the men's soccer program. Ithaca College has a remarkable legacy of academic and athletic excellence, and I am truly fortunate to join such an exceptional community. With a solid foundation already in place, I am excited to build on that success and elevate the program to new and exciting heights."
Kuhn has most recently served as the head coach of Alfred State, where the program has steadily improved since he took the helm in 2019. This past fall, the Pioneers had a historic campaign, marking their third consecutive winning season with a 13-3-3 overall record and an unbeaten 6-0-2 conference record. For the first time in program history, the team went unbeaten in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference play, conceding just one goal throughout the conference season. The Pioneers also achieved a significant milestone by becoming AMCC Conference regular season champions for the first time. Kuhn was named the AMCC Coach of the Year, earning back-to-back honors, and coached Jack Leahy, who became the first Pioneer to earn United Soccer Coaches All-American Third Team honors in program history.
"This is a bittersweet moment as I announce my departure from Alfred State College," said Kuhn. "I am forever grateful to Director of Athletics Jason Doviak for giving me the incredible opportunity to begin my head coaching career. Leaving behind the amazing players, my assistants, and the wonderful people who made my time at Alfred so memorable is not easy. I am confident that the program will continue to grow and thrive in the years ahead."
Kuhn heads to the South Hill with a career coaching record of 48-39-8. He helped lead a program turnaround with Pioneers as they went 1-15 during his first season and achieved the most wins in program history (17) during the 2023 season where they made their most recent NCAA Tournament appearance.
"I am ready to embrace this new chapter at Ithaca College," said Kuhn. "It is an honor to lead such a storied program, and I am looking forward to working with the talented student-athletes, building strong relationships within the Ithaca community, and fostering a culture of excellence on and off the field."
Kuhn began his coaching career as an assistant coach at McDaniel College, where he also gained experience coaching at the club and high school levels within the Maryland and All-Atlantic region. Before joining Alfred State, he served as an assistant coach at Stevenson University from 2016 through the 2018 season, where he helped lead the Mustangs to their most wins since 2010 and their first-ever appearance in the Middle Atlantic Conference playoffs.
As an undergraduate, Kuhn spent a season at Harford Community College (NJCAA) and helped lead the team to the program's first Maryland JUCO Conference Title with an 11-0-1 conference record. Kuhn helped lead the squad to a national ranking for the first time while finishing 14-4-1, the best record in program history. At Harford Community College, Kuhn was named to the First Team All-Maryland JUCO, First Team All-Region, All-Maryland Tournament Team, and the 2010-2020 All-Decade team for the Fighting Owls.
Kuhn was then a three-year starter at NCAA Division III Cabrini University, where he helped lead the team to the NCAA Tournament in 2012 and competed for a conference championship each season. Kuhn also served as a captain, receiving First Team All-Conference honors and All-ECAC Region Second Team honors.
"I want to express my deepest gratitude to my wife, whose support has made this journey possible," added Kuhn. "Our family is so excited to join the Ithaca community and start this next chapter together."