Cal State LA Athletics

A talented and valuable coach with extensive experience in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, Michael Jacobson returns for a 12^th season with the Cal State LA men’s soccer program.
 
In Jacobson’s first 11 seasons, the Golden Eagles have posted an overall record of 133-58-34 record, including a 128-45-34 mark over the past 10 years. The Golden Eagles were 10-6-3 last season and qualified for the CCAA Championship Tournament for a sixth straight season. Cal State LA also won 10 games or more for a sixth straight season.
 
Jacobson helped the Golden Eagles to a 12-5-3 record in 2015 that included a fifth straight trip to the NCAA playoffs. Cal State LA reached the semi-finals of the CCAA Tournament and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
 
The Golden Eagles achieved a 15-4-2 overall record in 2014 that was highlighted by the program’s second NCAA Division II West Region championship in four years. The Golden Eagles led the nation in goals against average and save percentage while setting several new program records for defense and earning an end-of-the-season ranking of No. 6 that was its best since 1992.
 
Jacobson helped the Golden Eagles to a 14-2-5 record in an outstanding 2013 season that featured a second CCAA title in three years and a national end-of-the-year ranking of 13. The Golden Eagles had the best record in the CCAA for a third straight season.
 
He was also an assistant coach for the women’s program for six years before the programs were split in the spring of 2013. During that time, the Golden Eagle women had an overall record of 72-32-19.
 
Jacobson helped both programs enjoy great success in 2011. Cal State LA’s men won the NCAA West Region championship for the first time since 1992 and claimed their first CCAA Championship Tournament title. The Golden Eagles finished with a 15-2-6 overall record and were ranked eighth in the nation.
 
The women’s team reached the NCAA playoffs for a third straight year and advanced to the regional championship game for the second time in five years. Cal State LA hosted the first two weekends of NCAA play for the first time and finished with a 13-4-4 overall record and a national ranking of 12.
 
Jacobson helped the Golden Eagle women to a second straight CCAA South Division championship in 2010, while the men’s team recorded its fifth consecutive winning season and achieved a national No. 1 regular-season ranking for a second straight year.
 
Both programs hosted NCAA Division II West Region playoffs in 2009. Cal State LA’s men’s team was 18-4-1 overall and reached the West Region championship match for a second straight season. The Golden Eagles earned their first-ever No. 1 national ranking and the 18 wins were the second-most in the program’s history.
 
The women’s team won its first CCAA Championship and set new program records for wins (17) and goals scored (53) while also achieving their highest national ranking (No. 6) during the season.
 
Jacobson also helped the Golden Eagle men’s team reach the NCAA West Region championship game in 2008 and conclude the season with a national ranking of 14.
 
Jacobson returned to Cal State LA in 2007 after a short stint away and immediately helped both teams reach post-season play. Cal State LA’s women’s team qualified for the NCAA playoffs for the first time and ended the season with a 13-6-4 record and a final national ranking of 15. The men’s team also reached the CCAA Championship Tournament and finished the season with an 11-6-4 record.
 
Jacobson came to Cal State LA after successful runs as a Director of Coaching for South Bay Soccer Club, which has connected with the L.A. Galaxy and is now known as the L.A. Galaxy South Bay. He was the head coach for various age group teams between the ages of 9-19. With the emphasis on development at the youth level, Jacobson oversaw coaches and players. He also helped guide numerous players to compete in college soccer as well as gave opportunities for placement on Olympic Development teams and participation on age-level U.S. National teams. He has coached numerous players who are currently playing at the professional level who came out of the South Bay Soccer Club.
 
Jacobson was introduced to the CCAA in 2001-02 when he was the assistant men’s soccer coach at Cal State Dominguez Hills. Jacobson helped the Toros reach the NCAA Division II championship match.
 
Jacobson was the assistant men’s and women’s coach in his first stint at Cal State LA in 2002-03 and created the planning, development and administration of all phases with both programs. He also provided training and fitness regimes that included weight training and a spring season running program.
 
Jacobson was the assistant men’s coach at Division I Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania in 2000-01 and helped the Bisons beat then-No. 8 ranked South Carolina, the first victory for any team from Bucknell over a nationally-ranked Top 10 opponent. Jacobson started his coaching career at Plattsburg State University in 1998.
 
He holds an “A” license from the United States Soccer Federation and received his USSF National Goal Keeping license in January of 2010.
 
Jacobson enjoyed a successful playing career collegiately at Syracuse University, where he was a four-year starter. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in physical education at Syracuse in 1998 and completed his Master’s degree from Cal State Dominguez Hills in 2008. He was an alternate member of the U.S. Maccabbi team and then played professionally for two years in Albany for the Allycats and the Myrtle Beach Sea Dawgs in South Carolina.
 
Jacobson and his wife, Nicole, reside in Redondo Beach with their son, Jack, and daughter, Rachel.