BUFFALO — First-year head men’s soccer coach Davie Carmichael announced the addition of Michael Tanke to his coaching staff on Wednesday afternoon. Tanke’s main responsibilities will be recruiting, assisting with day to day on field coaching, team video analysis, scouting opponents and individual player development.
“We are delighted to welcome Michael to our Bulls soccer program,” stated head coach Davie Carmichael. “He brings a terrific balance to our staff and already has a strong knowledge of the Western New York soccer landscape from his professional playing experience for the Rochester Rhinos. Michael is an experienced coach who is articulate, bright and will bring positive energy. I have no doubt that he will adapt quickly, build relationships with our players and really help us implement our playing philosophy. He has also proven to be an excellent recruiter with a strong network which will supplement what we already have in place.”
The Niles, MI native joins the Buffalo coaching staff after two successful seasons at Dayton as an assistant coach.
“First and foremost, I’d like to thank Coach Carmichael for this opportunity,” said Tanke. “I look forward to working towards his vision for Buffalo men’s soccer; on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. I’d also like thank Coach Currier for everything he’s done for me these past few years. I wouldn’t be afforded this opportunity at Buffalo without his leadership.”
In 2016, Tanke helped lead the Dayton Flyers to an 8-9-3 overall record and a 3-3-2 A-10 mark as they advanced to the Atlantic 10 semifinals before falling to VCU 1-0. The Flyers had five players earn All-Conference regognition in 2016 including a pair of First Team players and the A-10 Defensive Player of the Year, Lalas Abubakar. Tanke helped groom Abubakar into one of the best players in the NCAA last season as he was selected No. 5 overall in the MLS SuperDraft by the Columbus Crew. He became the sixth Dayton Flyer to be selected in the MLS Draft.
In his first season with the Flyers, Tanke helped lead Dayton to their first A-10 Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance since 2008. The Flyers collected a 13-3-3 overall record as they defeated Oakland 4-3 on penalty kicks in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament to advance to the second round for the first time in program history. The remarkable 2015 campaign came to an end against Ohio State in the second round as the Flyers fell in penalty kicks, 4-3.
Prior to Dayton, Tanke was a graduate assistant coach at Castleton University in Vermont for two seasons.
On the Spartans’ staff, Tanke helped guide Castleton to a 13-4-2 record, the highest winning percentage for the program in 20 years, and the top spot in the North Atlantic Conference tournament. His teams also had five NAC All-Conference performer.
His coaching career began after playing three years professionally with the Rochester Rhinos (USL), making 24 starts and 41 appearances before injuries forced him to retire. In his stint with the Rhinos, Tanke helped his team to a regular season conference championship, two playoff appearances, and two U.S. Open Cup third round games.
The professional career came after Tanke was a four-year member and two-year starter for the Rams at Rhode Island. He was named All-Tournament team in 2010 at the ODU-Stihl Soccer Classic and was voted to the New England Intercollegiate Soccer League Senior All-Start Game. He went on to the 2011 NASL Combine after playing for the Indiana Invaders USL Premier Development League and training with the Columbus Crew U19, U20, and first teams.
Not only was Tanke productive on the field, but he also earned Atlantic 10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll all four years at Rhode Island. He won the URI Centennial Scholarship and the Elizabeth Holmes Award as a senior. He was recognized by the Speaker of the House for the State of Rhode Island for his success in the classroom as well.
In 2011, Tanke graduated cum laude from Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. He went on to earn his Master’s Degree in Education from Castleton while coaching.
Tanke also had the opportunity to travel to South Africa in the summer of 2010 as a volunteer teacher for Cross Cultural Solutions and has been a supporter of Grassroot Soccer, a global AIDS education organization that uses soccer to get across their message of safety and abstinence.
Tanke holds a USSF “B” license and a U.S. Youth National license. He served as Director of Soccer Operations at Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis during the fall of 2011. He has also spent time as a summer camp counselor at IUPUI, Rhode Island, Notre Dame, Northwestern, and Dartmouth.
