The Gallaudet University Athletics Department is proud to announce Luis Gendive as its new men's soccer head coach as announced by Athletics Director Michael Weinstock on Friday. Gendive takes over for former Bison head coach Larry Musa.

"Coach Gendive brings over 20 years of coaching experience to Gallaudet. He is a great teacher and a fundamental coach. He is highly motivated and ready to revamp our men's soccer program," said Weinstock. "We thank Coach Musa for his time over the past three seasons leading the program."

This is Gendive's second time running the GU men's soccer program as he held the same position for two seasons (2005, '06). He was an assistant coach in 2004 for GU. In fact the last time Gallaudet won a game it came under Gendive's watch in October of 2006. Gendive's career record as a head coach at Gallaudet is 4-34-1 in two seasons. He also coached Gallaudet's last all-conference honoree in Matthew Eby, who was named to the All-Capital Athletic Conference second team for three straight seasons (2004, '05, '06).

"We know what direction we are moving in. We have the program and tools to do it," said Gendive. "We need to improve our recruiting, communication and presence at all of the schools for the deaf across the country. We need to make Gallaudet University men's soccer visible again."

Gendive, 40, will have to start from the ground level up as Gallaudet University prepares to join a new conference in 2010. GU is leaving the CAC for the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC). The Bison will enter the 2010 season with a 53-game losing streak in tow. Plus the last Gallaudet men's soccer conference win came in 1997, a span of 12 seasons and 95 consecutive conference losses.

"We need to change the losing habit," said Gendive. "We have seen the progress the Gallaudet women's soccer program has made recently and that is my expectation for the men's program."

The Bison women's soccer team posted a 6-12-1 record in '09 and had the CAC Rookie of the Year and one all-conference selection under the guidance of Coach Sarah Gumina. The two seasons prior the Bison were 0-32-1.

Gendive has spent eight years working for the Arlington Travel Soccer Club which overseas boy's and girl's soccer development from the ages 9 to 19. In 2006, he was named ATSC Coach of the Year. He is also the head coach of the Thomas Jefferson High School girl's soccer team where he will enter his third season at the helm this spring.

He spent 12 years coaching in his native homeland of Madrid, Spain, where he coached the EF Juventud Madrid program, the sister school to Real Madrid. His team was ranked in the top 10 in the Madrid area for U-15. Gendive has been an assistant coach for the U-16 Northern Virginia boy's soccer Olympic Development Program in 2001 and '05. In the summers he is the program director for the Moravek Soccer School.

Gendive's message to the returning players from the 2009 team (0-18 last season) and anybody interested in joining the Bison program is simple.

"You are representing Gallaudet University every time you wear the Bison jersey. You need to give your best. Period. This is your school. This is your chance to play at the collegiate level. We are eager to add new student-athletes who can bring what we are missing," said Gendive. "We need to give it our all at all practices and games. We can't look up at the scoreboard and give up, if we are losing. We can't forget we are a team and we all need to work together to accomplish our goals."

Gendive currently resides in Falls Church, Va., with his wife Peggy, who is a Spanish teacher at Thomas Jefferson High School.