Coach Jonathan Garbar has been involved in the game of soccer since the age of five. Growing up in New Jersey, and Colombia, South America, soccer was as much a cultural experience as it was an athletic one for him.
Since becoming head coach at Monroe in 2012 (its first season in Division I), Coach Garbar has put together one of the nation's top women's collegiate soccer programs. Under his tutelage, the Mustangs were 2013, 2014, 2015 Region and District Champions, and 2014 National Champions, while enjoying an overall team GPA of 3.5. The following year brought continued success with the Mustangs closing the 2015 season as National Semi Finalists.
In only four seasons, he has developed 9 All-Americans, including the 2014 National Player of the Year, and was named 2014 NSCAA National Coach of the Year and 2015 Northeast District Coach of the Year. His overall record as the Head Coach of the Mustangs, stands at 60-7.
Additionally, Coach Garbar has recently been named Director of the Men's International Academy at Monroe College. The Academy is a unique experience in which international athletes from around the world are recruited to receive college level training, academic support, NCAA/NAIA transfer consultation, and eligibility and compliance support.
Coach Garbar and his staff have graduated and successfully promoted 25 student athletes to NCAA and NAIA institutions, more than any other junior college in the nation during their four-year campaign. In addition, he has also developed two former players into assistant coaches with the Mustangs. Additionally, he and his staff have recruited players from a variety of states, and countries around the world including: New York, New Jersey, Florida, Connecticut, Utah, Texas, England, Brazil, Paraguay, Japan, Sweden, Spain, and Croatia.
Coach Garbar has also led the Mustangs off the field. They are renowned for their community service, supporting people with special needs at the center where they live, and hosting them at the field so they can watch the Mustangs compete. The women’s soccer team has also worked with foster children and led youth activities in local schools.
After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Delaware, Coach Garbar moved to New York City to pursue a career in education and athletics. After earning his Master’s Degree in Education from Pace University in 2007, he decided to make coaching his career. A passionate and committed student of the game, Coach Garbar believes in the development of the total student-athlete. Through the implementation of sports psychology, innovative athletic training methods, creative cognitive development, and a "program first" approach, Coach Garbar and his staff have set the standard for the development of the modern college player.
His first experience as a Head Coach began at Benjamin Banneker Academy, where he coached the men’s and women’s program for three seasons. The women’s program went undefeated and were two-time division champions winning in both the ‘A,’ and ‘B’ divisions. The men’s program went on to enjoy its best record in school history and most importantly, graduated every student athlete. After his time at Benjamin Banneker Academy, he came on board as the Men's First Assistant at Monroe College where he was part of a successful three -year run with two National Finals appearances (the first in team's history).
Coach Garbar, holds an NSCAA Regional, National, Advanced National, and Premier License. He spends his off-season coaching and consulting in the Caribbean, South America and locally with various clubs and academies. He is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.
Coach Garbar believes that women’s soccer at Monroe is a tradition in the making, and is being developed into one of the most premier athletic and academic programs in the nation.
“Our Program stands on four core principles: Passion, Preparation, Purpose, Progress. It’s who we are, and what we represent, as individuals and as a Program. For every Mustang, soccer and education are more than a game, and more than a sport, they are a lifestyle, and one that we are extremely proud of and committed to,” he said.
Achievements
2015 National Semi Finalist
2015 District Champions
2015 Regional Champions
2015 Northeast District Coach of the Year
2015 Two NSCAA All Americans
2014 National Champions
2014 NSCAA National Coach of the Year
2014 Three NSCAA First Team All Americans
2014 Player of the Year
2014 District Champions
2014 Region Champions
2013 Ranked #8 NSCAA National Poll
2013 District Champions
2013 Region Champions
2013 2 NSCAA All Americans
2012 Region Champions
2012 Ranked #8 National Poll NSCAA
2012 2 NJCAA All Americans
