After six decades as a vital part of the MSU soccer program, Joe Baum has announced he will retire at the end of June.
Baum passed the title of head coach on to assistant and former player Damon Rensing in 2008 after heading the program for 32 years and spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach.
During his tenure at MSU, Baum was named Big Ten Coach of the Year three times (1996, 2000 and 2008), and he led the Spartans to 22 winning seasons in addition to guiding the program to the NCAA Tournament four times in his final eight seasons.
Baum also became the 26th coach in NCAA Division I history to accomplish 300 career wins, and he finishes his Spartan coaching career with a record of 320-228-54.
From 1986-90, Baum was a vital part of the MSU women’s soccer program as well, leading the program as the first head coach and achieving a record of 69-23-5 while still coaching the men’s team.
“Joe Baum is a true Spartan, and in so many ways, Joe Baum is Michigan State soccer,” MSU Director of Athletics Mark Hollis said in a statement. “His dedication to the sport of soccer and to Michigan State University has been remarkable.
“Joe remained a vital part of our program after stepping down as head coach and will forever be a Spartan held in high esteem.”
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