DEARBORN, Mich. – The University of Michigan-Dearborn is excited to announce the hiring of Worteh Sampson as the new men's soccer head coach effective immediately.
"We are very excited to welcome Worteh Sampson to the University of Michigan-Dearborn," UM-Dearborn Director of Athletics & Recreation Matt Beaudry said. "His experiences and relationships will guide the men's soccer program well in the classroom, community, and competition. Coach Sampson's commitment to coach and teach student-athletes and passion for the success of the sport of soccer will help UM-Dearborn tremendously. He's a servant leader on and off the field inspiring others to reach for success."
Sampson, a native of Monrovia, Liberia is the third head coach in program history, taking over for Matt Quirk, who resigned after five years as the UM-Dearborn head coach.
"I am excited to be a part of UM-Dearborn athletic family," Sampson said. "I hope to continue to take the men's soccer program in a positive direction."
Sampson has coached at various levels and age groups over the past 11 years. He is currently the Boys Director of Coaching for the Plymouth Soccer Club. He is the head coach of the Ann Arbor FC Lumberjills in the Women's Premier Soccer League, while also serving on the staff for Olympic Development Program with the Michigan Youth Soccer Association.
Prior to the school's cancellation of intercollegiate athletics, Sampson coached from 2009 to 2017 with Marygrove College, a former Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference member institution. He was the head coach of the women's program and an assistant with the men's team.
Sampson played collegiately at Schoolcraft College before joining Madonna University in 2003. He was named to the All-Conference First Team twice, while also being named the Conference Player of the Year in 2003. After his time with Madonna, he played seven years of professional soccer.
Sampson currently lives in Farmington, Mich., with his wife Whitney and his two children, Micah and Mharei.
The Wolverines returned to the WHAC Postseason Tournament for the first time since 2013, closing 2018 with a record of 6-10-2 overall and 3-7-1 in league play. The six wins last season was the best under Quirk, tying the program record set in 2013.
Quirk served as the chair for the WHAC men's soccer coaches last season and was named the 2017 WHAC Champion of Character Coach.
"On behalf of UM-Dearborn Athletics, I would like to extend the warmest best wishes and thank you to Coach Quirk for his five years of leadership and service," Beaudry said. "He is leaving the men's soccer program in a better place than when he started 2014. We are rooting for his success. Good luck Coach Quirk."
