Iona College men’s soccer head coach Fernando Barboto announced Jan. 20 that he would be resigning from his position to accept a position at NJIT.

Barboto spent 13 seasons with the Maroon & Gold and was the winningest coach in program history. He accumulated 116 wins, 65 of them in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play.

“I want to thank all of my current and former players for their tremendous support during my 13 years at Iona,” Barboto said in an article on icgaels.com. “I am thankful for the Iona College community for embracing my family for all these years, and I look forward to following the future success of the men’s soccer program.”

Three of his former players are currently enjoying success at the professional level. Franklin Castellanos (New York Red Bulls), Ignacio Maganto (Los Angeles Galaxy) and Victor Munoz (Sporting Kansas City) are all currently playing on clubs in Major League Soccer. Maganto was the first Iona player ever selected in the MLS SuperDraft.

In his most recent season as head coach, the Gaels finished 10-7-3 overall and 5-3-2 in conference play. The team completed regular season play as the No. 5 seed, defeating Fairfield in the first round and eventually losing to the top-seeded Monmouth Hawks the following round.

“To say that Fernando will be missed by the Iona community is an understatement,” Director of Athletics Rick Cole Jr. said in an article on icgaels.com. “We are sad to see him go, but very happy for the opportunity that has presented itself for coach to better himself and his family.”

Barboto’s inherited a one-win team and led the Gaels to five wins in his first season.

Prior to his illustrious coaching career, Barboto played four years at Montclair State and earned NSCAA All-American honors in his senior season. He eventually played six seasons in the United Soccer League with the New Jersey Imperials.

James Hamilton, who was an assistant coach, is currently serving as the interim head coach. Iona is conducting a national search for Barboto’s successor.