Peterson Jerome enters his 22nd season as Head Men's Soccer Coach at SUNY Poly in 2024. Over two decades, Coach "Pete" has built a legacy of success, leadership, and consistency within the program. He holds an overall career record of 190-177-30.
In 2023, Coach Pete led the Wildcats to a standout 13-6-1 record, going undefeated in North Atlantic Conference (NAC) play at 7-0-1. SUNY Poly captured its second NAC Championship, earning an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. The team’s remarkable season was recognized with six NAC All-Conference selections, and Coach Pete was named NAC Coach of the Year for the fifth time in his career. Standout defender Kevin Ryan was named NAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year and earned First Team honors alongside Abus Mohamed-Ali. Thomas Nimineh and Matthew McCord were Second Team selections, while Ryan Primus was named to the Third Team.
The momentum continued in 2024, with the Wildcats posting a 10-4-4 record and making their first-ever appearance in the Empire 8 playoffs, falling to SUNY Brockport in the quarterfinals. The team continued to earn recognition, with Jhonny Theze and Thomas Nimineh named to the Empire 8 All-Conference First Team, Yannick Diaby and Kevin Ryan to the Second Team, and Ryan Primus once again to the Third Team.
Throughout his career at SUNY Poly, Jerome has mentored 69 All-Conference players, four Conference Players of the Year, six Defensive Players of the Year, one All-American (Malik Faye), and seven All-Region honorees.
One of the defining moments of his tenure came in 2013, when he led SUNY Poly to a historic 16-2-2 season, capturing the program’s third NEAC Championship in four years and making its third NCAA appearance in that span. That season set the school record for wins and saw the team ranked 5th in the NCAA Northeast Regional Rankings, even receiving votes in the national top-25. Goalkeeper Malik Faye became SUNY Poly’s first NSCAA First Team All-American in any sport.
Jerome began his SUNY Poly coaching career in 2002 as an assistant before being named head coach in 2003. He earned back-to-back Coach of the Year awards in 2010 and 2011 after leading the Wildcats to consecutive NEAC titles and NCAA Tournament berths. Between 2009–2011, SUNY Poly achieved its first run of consistent double-digit win seasons and deep postseason appearances.
Before joining SUNY Poly, Jerome was the head women’s soccer coach at Herkimer County Community College, where he was named 2001 Mountain Valley Conference Coach of the Year and led the team to a conference championship. As a student-athlete at Herkimer, he was one of the most decorated players in program history, earning accolades including Region III Player of the Year, NJCAA First Team All-American, and NSCAA First Team All-American in 1997.
Jerome transferred to The Ohio State University, where he continued his standout playing career, earning All-Ohio and All-Big Ten honors in 1999. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Education & Coaching from Ohio State and an Associate of Science in Sports & Recreational Management from Herkimer.
Originally from Haverstraw, NY, Coach Jerome resides in New Hartford with his wife Lisa and their four children: John Paul, Isabella, Gabriella Marie, and Sofia.
COACHING RECORD
2024: 10-4-4 (5-2-4 Empire 8) [Empire 8 Quarterfinals]
2023: 13-6-1 (7-0-1 NAC) [NAC Champions, NCAA 1st Round]
2022: 11-5-3 (7-0-2 NAC) [NAC Semifinal]
2021: 14-3-4 (7-0-2 NAC) [NAC Champions, NCAA 1st Round]
2020: Season Canceled Due to COVID-19
2019: 12-7 (8-3 NEAC) [NEAC Quarterfinal]
2018: 6-9-3 (5-6 NEAC)
2017: 11-9 (7-3 NEAC) [NEAC Runner-up]
2016: 8-12 (8-5 NEAC) [NEAC Quarterfinal]
2015: 11-6-2 (8-3-1 NEAC) [NEAC Quarterfinal]
2014: 6-11-2 (4-5-1 NEAC)
2013: 16-2-2 (7-1 NEAC) [NEAC Champions, NCAA 1st Round]
2012: 9-7-2 (6-3-1 NEAC) [NEAC Quarterfinal]
2011: 9-6-4 (8-0-3 NEAC) [NEAC Champions, NCAA 1st Round]
2010: 13-6-1 (8-1 NEAC) [NEAC Champions, NCAA 1st Round]
2009: 13-8 [NEAC Semifinal]
2008: 10-9-1 [NEAC Semifinal]
2007: 6-12 (2-9 SUNYAC)
2006: 5-11 (1-8 SUNYAC)
2005: 3-13-1 (1-7-1 SUNYAC)
2004: 4-14 (0-9 SUNYAC)
2003: 0-17 (0-9 SUNYAC)
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Overall Record: 190-177-30
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