By: Adam Gorski
Michael Tanke has been named the new head coach of the Canisius men’s soccer team, becoming the 15th in program history, the school announced in a release on Thursday night.
Tanke takes over for Dermot McGrane, who did not have his contract renewed following 10 seasons with the Griffs and a 1–14–2 season in the fall.
"I am excited to welcome Michael Tanke as the new head coach for our men's soccer program," Canisius Athletic Director Bill Maher told GoGriffs.com. "Throughout our search process, Michael stood out as a coach who has the communication skills, the drive and the enthusiasm to recruit and develop the young men in our program. He also illustrated a clear plan on how he plans to build Canisius into a program that can compete for MAAC championships."
Tanke, a native of Niles, Mich., joins the Griffs having spent the past five seasons with the Empire United MLS Next development program in Rochester. During his time there, he was the director of talent identification and recruitment, while also coaching the Empire United U19 team, taking them to their first national quarterfinals appearance in the history of the program.
He also has experience in and around college programs, spending time as a director of operations at IUPUI in 2011, a graduate assistant at Castleton from 2012-13 and then an assistant coach at Dayton in 2015.
Tanke played four seasons at Rhode Island and parts of three professionally with the Rochester Rhinos.
"I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity to return to Buffalo, and I would like to thank Bill Maher and Lisa Liotta for trusting me to lead the next chapter in the history of the Canisius men's soccer program," Tanke told GoGriffs.com. "This is an exciting time for soccer in Western New York, and I cannot wait to get started with our student-athletes."
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