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Princeton University Athletics
Women's Soccer's Poller Promoted to Associate Head Coach
October 07, 2021 | Women's Soccer
"I feel humbled, honored, and extraordinarily blessed to be a part of such an amazing university and soccer program," Poller said. "When I started here in 2014 as a volunteer assistant, I wasn't sure where this path would lead. I was even less sure when, one day into my first preseason, then-coach Julie Shackford announced her retirement. When I heard that Sean had gotten the job, I was thrilled that one of his first phone calls was to talk with me about staying on with the program. Since that day, I don't think a day has gone by where Sean and I haven't touched base about something. It usually starts with a conversation about our program, recruiting, or our current student-athletes but it usually ends as just two friends checking in on each other and listening. I am truly grateful for Sean's friendship and mentorship over the past 7 years, it has meant the world to me. Thank you!Â
"I would be remiss if I didn't mention some of the people that helped me along the way. First and foremost, my wife Meghan and sons Sam and Joe, you are my foundation and my why. Ron Celestin for all of his guidance and wisdom throughout the years. Rick Stainton for giving me my first opportunity to coach at the Division IÂ level and Rick Brownell for giving me my first opportunity to coach at the college level. To all those who have helped me along the way, thank you!Â
"This promotion is an amazing milestone for me professionally, to all of the student-athletes that I have coached here and elsewhere, thank you! To our 2021-22 Princeton Women's Soccer team, you have been an amazing group of people and have given this program a new energy and a new sense of purpose. Thank you for embodying the best of Princeton Women's Soccer. I'm excited for the future of PWS and look forward to serving it with all I have."
The announcement comes during a season that has seen Princeton post a 9-1-1 record through its first 11 games, receive recognition in the United Soccer Coaches top-25 poll, and start 2-0 in theeIvy League.
"I am honored to promote Mike to the position of associate head coach," Princeton head coach Sean Driscoll said. "In addition to being a fantastic coach, possessing a great eye for talent and having a passion for Princeton, he was a pivotal figure in my relocation to New Jersey. In 2015, I left my home state of Connecticut for what would become a life-changing experience in New Jersey. Mike's mutual love of soccer and working with college-age athletes along with his friendship made a world of difference in Princeton becoming my new home. Over the past six-and-a-half years, we have spent countless hours on the phone, in the office and on the road doing everything we can to identify future Tigers and, at the same time, provide the best experience possible for those already in our program. Whether it is a text alerting me to score of a game at 11 p.m., an update about a recruit at 2 p.m. or an idea that he thought of at 7 a.m., Mike is always focused on how to enhance Princeton Women's Soccer. His mutual care for the program is what I value the most, along with the fact that he is fiercely loyal and immeasurably trustworthy. I am grateful that I was given the permission to promote a great friend and tremendous coach. Honestly, I could not imagine doing this job with anyone else."
