JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida Athletics has announced a leadership change within the men's soccer program as 13-year head coach Derek Marinatos will step down and transition into a role within athletics development as announced by Director of Athletics Nick Morrow Monday, Nov. 6.

"I would like to thank Derek for his 13 years of service to the men's soccer program," Morrow said. "His passion and commitment to the program resulted in many memorable moments for UNF men's soccer, including its first Atlantic Sun Championship and its first NCAA Tournament appearance.  We will forever be appreciative of Derek's impact on UNF as a coach and we look forward to his impact as a fundraiser."

North Florida was outside of Atlantic Sun postseason contention after concluding the 2023 season 3-8-4. Marinatos is just the second coach in program history after 33 years of UNF men's soccer.

"I gave my heart and soul to this program and I can rest knowing I gave my all to make it better, winning two championships while developing our student-athletes for the pitch and life," Marinatos said. "I love my players and the staff members that have stuck with me as long as they have. It's been a treasure to see the student-athletes become alums and have them grow up. Being able to share soccer and bring joy into the lives of the countless kids at our camps has been so rewarding. For me, this position went way beyond wins and losses and was about the development of the player and the person. I'm stepping down and moving into another career path to start my next chapter and am thankful to continue to be able to help build opportunities for the student-athlete."

The Jacksonville, Fla., native and Bolles School graduate took over as head coach of the program prior to the 2011 season, helping bring UNF to four-straight winning seasons between 2013 and 2016. During that stretch, North Florida men's soccer claimed the 2015 Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament Title, using a 7-0 win against USC Upstate to make the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament at the DI level. 

UNF also claimed the 2016 ASUN Regular Season crown at North Florida after going 9-4-2 the following season, giving the Ospreys consecutive regular season titles under his tutelage. All told, North Florida made four appearances in the conference championship game while Marinatos was at the helm.

Since 2011, UNF has seen 11 ASUN All-Academic selections, 12 ASUN All-Freshman picks, 10 First Team All-ASUN honorees, 17 Second Team All-ASUN nods, 12 National Soccer Coaches of America Association All-Region picks and three College Sports Information Directors of American All-District selections. 

The Ospreys were also donned with five ASUN superlative honors between ASUN Goalkeeper of the Year, ASUN Tournament MVP, ASUN Defensive Player of the Year, ASUN Freshman of the Year and ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year. 

Twice Marinatos was named ASUN Coach of the Year, while also helping produce pros in Kyle Nasta, Alex Morrell, Jay Bolt, and Josh Castellanos. Additionally, 205 Ospreys have been named to the ASUN Honor Roll for their work in the classroom during his tenure. 

A national search to fill the position will be undergone immediately.