Cleveland SC is gearing up for an exciting new chapter with the appointment of Joe Jovanovski as their Head Coach, bringing a fresh wave of experience and enthusiasm to the team.
Joe Jovanovski is eager to lead Cleveland SC into a new era as the club’s freshly appointed Head Coach. With his inaugural training sessions already underway, Jovanovski brings a wealth of coaching experience to the role. A product of Elyria Catholic High School and Tiffin University, he currently serves as an assistant coach at Baldwin Wallace University's Men’s Soccer program, while also concurrently holding the position of director at Northeast Ohio soccer club North FC since 2017.
Before his time at Baldwin Wallace, Jovanovski held the position of head men’s soccer coach at Lutheran West High School, earning awards such as the Greater Cleveland Private School Coach of the Year and the OSSCA Private School Coach of the Year for Ohio. His coaching journey also includes a stint as an assistant coach at Tiffin University, where his collegiate career thrived after transferring from Lorain County Community College. Jovanovski’s experience and influence were immediately felt upon joining Cleveland SC as an assistant coach in 2023, paving the way for his transition to the head coaching position.
Q: Welcome aboard! How thrilled are you to step into the role of Head Coach at Cleveland SC?
A: I’m very excited to be stepping into this role as head coach. Coach Vlad Muresan did a great job building a strong culture and it is an honor to pick up where he left off and be entrusted with this position. I’m thrilled to contribute to the legacy of the club while leading our team to new heights. I am dedicated to the success of this club and these young men both on and off the pitch.
Q: What aspects of this position attracted you the most and ultimately led you to accept the role?
A: Working with the team last year showed me the brotherhood and culture that has been formulated over the years. It’s like a second family, the winning culture, being able to work with great young adults and helping them get into that next step of life.
Q: In your view, what do you believe sets Cleveland SC apart from other clubs in the league?
A: The environment, from the fan base to the players on the team and support staff. Everyone is so excited for the season to start. The history of winning our NPSL conference and winning in multiple US Open Cup games and representing the great city of Cleveland while doing it.
Q: Having observed the team in the initial training sessions, do you feel confident in the squad's potential to reach peak performance under your guidance?
A: I do. I have a lot of young guys that are hungry and very talented. They are gelling very well right now and I think the more we play and train together it will only get better as the season goes on.
Q: Could you share insights into your coaching philosophy and playing style for our fans?
A: Without getting into too much detail, we will be a ball-dominant, possession-based team. The way this team is being built is with a lot of technical players and I am very excited to see how we grow stylistically.
Q: What strategies do you envision for developing the young talent within our club and integrating them into the squad?
A: For me, it’s all about giving them chances. Giving the young guys a feeling that they belong at this level. There are many players that I have identified over the years, whether that be high-profile high school seniors or current freshmen in college, that we are bringing in to train and potentially even play in games so we can start building that pipeline for the next generation of SC players.
Q: As we aim for the top spot in the conference, what message do you have for the fans who eagerly anticipate our journey?
A: I want to tell the fans that I appreciate their support and belief in myself and the admin staff. I cannot wait to see them out in full force on May 18th.
Joe Jovanovski’s appointment marks a significant milestone for Cleveland SC, and with his vision and dedication, the club is poised for a promising season ahead. Stay tuned for more updates and get ready to support the team this Saturday evening, May 18th at 7pm against Akron City FC.