Mike Potempa Position: Assistant Coach

Mike Potempa is entering his sixth season as an assistant coach at Clemson, but he is certainly no stranger to the program, having played at Clemson from 1997-2000.

In 2005, Potempa was a reason Clemson reached the College Cup for the first time in 18 years and ranked third in the final coach's poll. It was the best final ranking in any poll for the program since 1998 when Potempa was a member of the team. Clemson reached the NCAA's Final 16 in 2006 and was ranked ninth in the final Soccer America poll.

While at Clemson, the defender was named to the 2000 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-American team. He was also honored as an Academic All-American that same year. During his career, Potempa was named All-ACC in 1998, 1999, 2000. He was the first Clemson soccer player to be named Academic and on field All-American in the same year and is still one of just 15 Clemson athletes to accomplish this impressive double. He was also named a Soccer Times All-American in 1998.

He played in the U17 Youth World Championships in Ecuador in 1995 and was a member of the U18 and U20 U.S. National teams during his playing career.

Potempa graduated from Clemson with a B.A. degree in marketing in 2001. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Galaxy in the 2001 MLS Superdraft, but had to retire due to injuries.

He coached in Chicago, IL at North Shore Country Day as the varsity boys and girls coach in 2001-2002. He also coached a U14 girls and U12 boys team in Chicago for the Trevian Club.

Between 2002-04, he was the Head of Soccer at Frederica Academy in St. Simons Island, Georgia. While there he coached the boys and girls varsity teams.

In 2003, he coached the boy's team to the GISA State semi-finals in 2003 and to the region championship. He also led the girls to the GISA state championship in 2003 and region championships in 2002 and 2003.

He was named GISA region coach of the year three times, and the GISA state coach of the year twice. Potempa also coached in the Golden Isles Soccer Club and coached an U14 boys team and an U13 girls team.

A member of an athletic family, his uncle Gary, was a starting linebacker on Notre Dame's 1973 National Championship football team. Potempa holds a USSF "B" License.