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Mercyhurst University Athletics

Men's Soccer Coach Nenad

Nenad Vidakovic

Nenad Vidakovic enters his sixth year as head coach of the men’s soccer program and has already added hardware for the Lakers' program. Vidakovic led Mercyhurst to a PSAC Tournament title and an NCAA tournament appearance in 2016. The Lakers finished the 2016 season with a 15-5-1 record, including a 10-1 mark in conference play. Vidakovic was named PSAC Coach of the Year.

In 2018, the Lakers earned a 9-6-2, 5-4-2 record.

During the 2017 season; Nenad led a fairly young team to a 12-6 record throughout the regular season, which included an 8-3 conference record. Had a season long 5 game win streak at the tail end of the season but was defeated in the quarterfinals of the PSAC tournament by East Stroudsburg 3-0. 

In his first season at the helm, Vidakovic led a successful first campaign for the 2015 Lakers, leading the Lakers to a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) regular season title and earning the top seed in the PSAC tournament. Vidakovic's squad finished the season with a 9-1-1 PSAC record. 

He had been a valuable assistant with the men’s and women’s soccer teams since 2005, helping guide the women’s team to the NCAA quarterfinal in 2008 and aiding the men’s program in its PSAC West regular season championship in 2009. He was also an integral part in helping the Lakers win the PSAC Championships in 2012 and 2014.

Vidakovic brings a wealth of international playing and coaching experience to the Lakers. He has 24 seasons of coaching experience at the club, high school, collegiate, and professional levels and currently holds the NSCAA National Coaching Certificate. 

Vidakovic coached boys' soccer at Cathedral Prep in Erie for six seasons. He led Prep to the PIAA state championship in 2001 and also guided the team to a state final appearance in 1997. His Prep teams won six Metro titles and five District-10 championships.

A former Yugoslavian National Team player, his experience includes playing in the European Cup and Olympic game qualifiers.
 
Along with his experience on the Yugoslavian National Team, Vidakovic also enjoyed a 15-year professional career in Yugoslavia, Turkey, France and Cyprus.

In 1994, Vidakovic earned a Diploma for Higher Trainer for Football from the University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. This national coaching license, equivalent to the FIFA A-level license, enables him to coach anywhere in the world. He also holds a National Coaching Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.