Saint Joseph’s University men’s soccer adds Rich Ongaro to coaching staff

PHILADELPHIA – Saint Joseph’s men’s soccer head coach Don D’Ambra has announced the addition of Rich Ongaro to the staff as the Hawks’ newest assistant coach.

Ongaro replaces former assistant coach Pat Morris, who took a position as the newest men’s soccer head coach at Penn State Abington after spending 10 seasons with the Crimson and Gray.

“I have known Rich for a few years, and I believe he will be a great addition to our coaching staff,” said D’Ambra. “He brings Division I coaching experience and will be asked to manage different aspects of our program. I am confident he will fit in well and introduce innovative ways to enhance our program.”

Ongaro arrives on Hawk Hill by way of Fordham University, where he was an assistant coach with the Rams for the 2019 season. Ongaro worked directly with Atlantic 10 All-Tournament Team goalkeeper Konstantin Weis, who finished the season ranked third in Fordham goalkeeper history in single-season minutes played (1,919) and sixth in single-season shutouts (7).

Prior to that stop, Ongaro spent a season as a volunteer assistant coach at Old Dominion University. Working with the goalkeepers, he coached Mertcan Akar, who earned Third Team All-Conference USA honors, while as a team, the Monarchs finished second in the regular-season standings for Conference USA.

Before joining the ODU staff, Ongaro was an assistant coach at both Rutgers-Camden and the University of Northwestern Ohio, where he worked with the women’s teams.

A collegiate goalkeeper from 2012-15, Ongaro played his freshman year at VCU before transferring to Holy Family University for his final three years. He was a three-year starter for the Divison II school and collected nine shutouts and 191 saves throughout his three years playing for the Tigers.

Ongaro is a native of Columbus, N.J.