MIAMI (Mar. 25, 2022) - FIU head women's soccer coach Jonathan Garbar announced the addition of Mirko Ronchi to his staff as Volunteer Assistant Coach on Friday.

Ronchi, who will work primarily with the goalkeepers, joins the Blue & Gold with valuable experience as both a collegiate coach and player at the NCAA Division II level. Ronchi also brings international soccer experience to FIU. 

"We are thrilled to welcome Coach Mirko Ronchi to our soccer community at FIU," said Coach Jonathan Garbar. "Mirko's experience as a former player at the highest level in Italy, his impressive work as a goalkeeper developer, and his understanding of the NCAA landscape will prove to be tremendously valuable to our young program. This dynamic addition to our staff allows us to cover all the necessary developmental components of an elite soccer organization. We are also extremely proud to have another beautiful country represented on the field here at FIU!"

During the 2021 season, Ronchi served as the volunteer assistant goalkeeper's coach at Barry University for both the men and women's soccer programs. Prior to joining the coaching ranks at Barry, Ronchi was a goalkeeper for the Barry Buccaneers men's soccer team from 2019-20 while serving as the team captain. Ronchi played and started 16 games in goal for the Bucs in 2019, recording three shutouts and posting a conference-leading 72 saves.

Before arriving at Barry University, Ronchi was a student-athlete for two seasons with the Limestone Bears of the NCAA Division II from 2017-18. In 20 matches with the Bears, Ronchi posted a11-4-1 record with a 0.95 goals against average and seven shutouts. Ronchi also earned First-Team All-Carolinas Conference in 2018.

Prior to coming to the U.S., Ronchi served in a coaching role for Juventus Academy in Turin, Italy, in 2017. Ronchi also coached for Atalanta B.C. Youth Academy in 2016.

During his youth playing career in Italy, Ronchi was a member of AC Milan Academy and later went on to make his eventual professional soccer debut with A.C. ChievoVerona. Ronchi also had a playing stint with Parma Calcio 1913, before moving to the second Italian division Serie B with Ascoli Calcio 1898 F.C., and later U.S. Salernitana 1919.

A native of Cornaredo, Italy, Ronchi earned a Master of Sport, Exercise & Performance Psychology from Barry University in 2021. Ronchi also secured a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Limestone College in 2018.

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