John Parente enters his fifth season on the sidelines with the Behrend men’s soccer team, after an exceptional coaching career at Penn State Altoona. Parente spent nine years as the head coach of the men’s soccer team at Altoona, guiding the program since its inception in 2001.

He accumulated a career record of 105-60-16, an average of nearly 12 wins per season. Parente’s team reached double digit victories seven out of nine years and was a fixture in the AMCC and ECAC (Eastern College Athletic Conference) playoffs. He coached an impressive 51 AMCC all-conference selections and seven NSCAA Regional All-Americans while winning conference Coach of the Year honors twice (2001, 2004).

Before arriving at Penn State Altoona, Parente served as the men's assistant head coach at State University of New York College at Fredonia from 1994-1997. In three seasons at Fredonia, he helped guide the Blue Devils to two SUNYAC titles, two NCAA Division III playoff appearances, and a ECAC post-season appearance. During this time, the Blue Devils were ranked in the Top 20 nationally, including a No. 1 ranking in 1996, and a No. 2 ranking in 1995. After arriving in Central Pennsylvania, Parente remained active in coaching soccer through the Centre Soccer Association, Keystone Soccer and several local camps. In addition, he served as a volunteer assistant for the State College High School boys team for three seasons.

Parente, a Buffalo, N.Y. native, played for Division I Canisius College for two seasons before transferring to SUNY Fredonia where he was captain his senior year. While at Fredonia, Parente coached a youth select team from the Buffalo area, taking the team to two national tournaments.

He is also member of and received an Advanced National Diploma from, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.