Haddonfield Bulldawgs Soccer
2018 SJ Group Two Semifinalist / SJSCA #12 Seed / The Tradition Continues...
HADDONFIELD Athletics
Home of the HADDONS
Boys Varsity Soccer
Biography:
Alma Mater: Haddonfield Memorial (2001), McDaniel College (2005), Wilmington University (2014)
Career Record: 144-66-13
vs. The Colonial Conference: 112-29-10
Experience: 14th Year Overall at HMHS, 11th Year as Head Boys Soccer Coach
Fall of 2023 will mark Nixon's 11th season as Head Coach of Haddonfield.
During that time and in his previous 13 seasons on staff since 2010, Haddonfield has won 194 Varsity games, reached the South Jersey Championship game three times in 2011, 2016, and 2017 and won six Colonial Conference Championships (2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2019). As Head Boys Soccer Coach since 2013, Nixon has overseen the varsity for 223 games; winning 144 of those contests as well as four Colonial Conference Championships (2015, 2016, 2017, & 2019). 45 of his players have garnered All-Colonial Conference designation as well as 20 others who were named either All-State or All-South Jersey Region by the Soccer Coaches Association of New Jersey. Nixon has also seen eight of his players go on to represent collegiate programs at the NCAA Division I, Division III and collegiate club levels and coached four more who earned Colonial Conference Player of the Year honors from NJ.com (Star-Ledger). In 2022, Haddonfield was recognized as one of only 52 boys soccer programs nationwide to earn a United Soccer Coaches Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Award; awarded annually to teams that earn designation through fair play and discipline. During the winter of 2024, Nixon was voted onto the Executive Board of the South Jersey Soccer Coaches Association as its Vice President.
Prior to being named Coach in 2013, Nixon served as an assistant on Joe Falana's coaching staff from 2010 to 2012. During that time, Haddonfield claimed two straight Colonial Conference Championships in 2011 and 2012 and also won the program’s 17th South Jersey sectional crown in 2011. Haddonfield went 50-13-3 in Varsity play during Nixon’s tenure as an assistant.
During each Fall and in the offseason, Nixon has also served as a Youth Soccer Trainer, Staff Coach, and Head Coach for the Haddonfield Soccer Club since 2008.
As a player, Nixon was a four year contributor and Varsity letter winner for the McDaniel College (MD) Green Terror Men’s Soccer Program from 2001-2004. During his four years on “the Hill”, he helped to set program records for wins in a season with 15 in 2003 and wins over a four year career with 46. While a senior at HMHS, the varsity team achieved the program's 14th straight Colonial Conference championship; a record stretch during which the program did not relinquish the league title between 1987 and 2000.
Nixon is a Nationally Accredited and Certified Level 3 NFHS Soccer Coach, holds a New Jersey Youth Soccer and USSF "E" License, has earned Special Topics Diplomas and numerous certifications from United Soccer Coaches, completed various certifications through the Positive Coaching Alliance, and is also a certified TOPSoccer instructor by New Jersey Youth Soccer. He currently resides with his wife, Lauren and daughters, Olivia and Avery in Cherry Hill.
Biography:
Alma Mater: Cherry Hill East (2008), Widener University (2012)
Sub-Varsity Record (Freshmen Head Coach 2015-2016): 24-6-2
Experience: 9th Year Overall at HMHS
Varsity Assistant Coach Vincent Miracola returns to the Haddonfield sideline for his ninth season with the program in 2023.
Coach 'Vin' continues his efforts in growing the defensive strength of the team at the Varsity level. 2020 saw him mentor a Varsity defensive unit that allowed 16 goals in 13 games; good for a goals against average of just over one goal per game. During the fall season in 2019, as has become his forte with the program, his coaching contributions on the defensive side of the ball helped the Varsity to achieve a fourth Colonial Conference Liberty Division Title in five seasons. In addition during 2019, under his tutelage, Senior Captain Cole Roddy was named 1st Team All-Conference and was recognized as the Liberty Division's Defender of the Year.
In 2018, Coach Miracola once again mentored a Varsity defensive unit that shut out ten different opponents. 2017 marked Coach Miracola's first campaign with Haddonfield Soccer as the Varsity Assistant Coach and with that role change, he helped to coach a group that won 21 games and a third straight Colonial Conference Championship. Miracola coached the Freshmen team in both 2015 and 2016.
Prior to taking over the Freshmen Boys Soccer Coach Position at Haddonfield, Miracola was a Cherry Hill Football Club Trainer and Staff Coach within the club’s travel program from 2012 to 2013.
Aside from his coaching duties, Miracola is also an accomplished player at multiple levels. He made his name as a hard-working left back at his alma mater Cherry Hill High School East and later at NCAA Division III Widener University in Chester, PA. At High School East, Miracola was a three year Varsity letter winner, twice earned All-Olympic Conference Designation, and was a member of the SCANJ All-State Honorable Mention Team as a senior. As a three-year collegiate soccer player at Widener University, Miracola reached the Middle Atlantic Conference Final as a Freshman in 2008 and competed in the ECAC Tournament as a player that same year. His former men’s amateur team, South Philly United, won the coveted Kelly Cup as Philadelphia’s top men’s amateur team in the fall of 2015 and summer 2016.
Coach Miracola is a special education teacher in the Pennsauken Public School District and holds multiple teaching certificates in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania as well as his NFHS Coaching License and a USSF Coaching License.
Coach currently resides in Wenonah with his wife, Ally and son, Alonzo.
Doug Schmitt.
Junior Varsity Boys Soccer Coach
Biography:
Experience: Over 20 Years in SJ High School Soccer as Head Coach, Assistant Coach, & SJSOA Official, 1st Year with HMHS Boys Soccer
Varsity Reserves (JV) Coach Doug Schmitt joins the HMHS Boys Soccer Staff for his first season as an assistant in 2018 after serving the South Jersey soccer community for over 20 years as a Head Coach (high school), SJSOA Official / Referee, Assistant Coach (high school), and Club Soccer Head Coach as well. Coach Schmitt is also the Treasurer for the South Jersey Soccer Coaches Association and has served the SJSCA Board for many years. Most recently, Coach assisted longtime Moorestown Girls Varsity Coach Bill Mulvihill, who currently sits in the top four (4) for active girls coaches in South Jersey with at least 300 career wins. Coach Schmitt is also a member of the prestigious SJSCA career 1oo-win club himself; that century claimed during a successful stint as the Head Girls Varsity Coach at Collingswood High School.
An accomplished player during his youth, high school, and college playing days; Coach Schmitt will provide invaluable depth to the staff and his knowledge and understanding of the game will be an immediate boost for the Varsity Reserves level of the program.
In 2018, Coach's Varsity Reserves (JV) Team achieved an impressive 10-2-4 overall record which included a 10-1-1 record against Colonial Conference opposition. His team scored 37 goals and allowed a stingy nine (9) against during regular season play. In addition, his squad matched the defensive record of the Varsity team with ten (10) shutouts in 16 total games.
An alumnus of HMHS Boys Soccer as well as having watched his own sons play soccer for the program, Coach Schmitt is an invalubale addition the coaching staff at HMHS.
Biography:
Alma Mater: Delran High School (2014)
Experience: 3rd Year as HMHS Freshmen Boys Soccer Coach
Coach Rafanello rejoins the staff for his third year of action in 2019 after leading the Bulldawgs Freshmen Boys Soccer team in his first two years on staff in 2017 and 2018.
Coach "Raf" has already proven to be a big asset to the program and was also an accomplished player who won an NJSIAA state championship at Delran High School in 2013; the Bears' South Jersey record eighth state crown to date.
In addition to his role as the Freshmen Coach, Coach Rafanello will also assist at all levels of the program as well as use his experience to evaluate players during the critical preseason period.
In-season and during the off-season, Coach Rafanello also works as a Trainer and Head Coach for Deptford Premier Soccer Development Schools in the Fall and Spring seasons and still enjoys playing the game in various men's leagues in South Jersey and Philadelphia.