EWING, N.J. – TCNJ head women's soccer coach Joe Russo has announced his retirement that will follow the 2021 season. Russo's 32^nd year in charge of the Lions will serve as the final one of his illustrious career.

"It's been a remarkable run," Russo said. "I can't thank the players and my longtime assistant Bob Turner enough. When I first started, it was a unique situation, as there are very few opportunities in college coaching where you get a chance to cultivate and start the program from scratch, which was the situation here. We started with nothing, then were able to build and construct our program to where we are today, which has been special. It's been a great run that I have enjoyed immensely."

Assistant Coach Bob Turner, Russo's right-hand man, will be retiring following the 2021 season as well. Turner has been alongside Russo since the inception of Trenton State women's soccer, and their guidance has led TCNJ to one of the top NCAA Division III women's soccer programs in the nation.

The duo has led the Lions to three NCAA Division III Championships, 535 wins, 29-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, 19 NJAC Championships and 12 NCAA Final Four runs. Russo owns a career record of 535-66-44 entering his final season. That record ranks him fourth all-time in NCAA women's soccer coaching history in wins and winning percentage (.864) across all divisions.

Since the inception of the NJAC, the league has been dominated by Russo's Lions. TCNJ is a staggering 189-15-12 in conference play and has won 19 of the 26 championships in conference history. Russo and Turner have coached 33 players to 43 total All-American honors.

The three constants of the TCNJ/Trenton State women's soccer program since 1990 have been Russo, Turner, and success.

"It's been exceptional to have worked with Coach Turner this whole time, and I've been very fortunate," said Russo. "There are very few times that people can say in life that they have worked for over 30 years with their best friend doing something that they truly enjoy. He's been a remarkable sidekick for me, and I couldn't think of a better person to have gone on this journey with than him." 

"A special thank you goes out to Kevin McHugh," Russo said. "He was the one who took a chance on me, or else none of this would have been possible." McHugh was TCNJ's Director of Athletics for 20 years and hired Russo in 1990.

Russo's and Turner's final season begins on Sept. 4, when the Lions will face Albright as part of the Haverford College Kickoff Classic.