Joao Garcia enters his third stint as an assistant for the Buccaneers after completing his four-year career with the Buccaneers in 2011.
Garcia assisted the Buccaneer staff in 2012 before taking the head job at Andrew College in Georgia for 2013, then returned for a second stint with the Bucs in 2014. Garcia coached Miami Dade FC in 2015, leading them to an undefeated season in their first year. He was also head coach at Alonso Tracey Mourning High School in North Miami, Fla. Garcia’s team at ATMHS made a run to the state semi-finals after accumulating only three losses throughout the regular season. He was named the Class 3A Coach of the Year.
He has completed several prestigious internships, including, with Santos FC in São Paulo, Brasil, in 2013; at Talleres in Córdoba, Argentina, in 2014; with FC Bayern Munich, in Munich, Germany, in March 2015; and with FC Goa in Goa, India, where he was invited by head coach Zico for a personal internship in November of 2015.
In his four-year career, Garcia played in 66 career games, primarily as a defender. His freshman year he started 10 games, and was part of a defense that allowed just 30 goals.
His sophomore campaign, he played in all 21 games, making 18 starts.Garcia emerged to be a leader of the defense which posted a 0.84 goals against average and 10 shutouts in 21 games, tying the school record for shutouts set in 2000 in his sophomore season.
During his junior year Garcia helped anchor a defense which allowed just 0.74 goals per game, including 10 shutouts in 18 games, once again tying the school record. An All-SSC selection, Garcia helped guide the Buccaneers to three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. He was also named to the All-Tournament team during the 2009 season in route to the Bucs clinching the SSC Tournament Title.
In 2012, Garcia graduated from Barry with a bachelor’s degree in business. He holds a USSF D License and a NSCAA National Diploma.