Jukka Masalin

Biography

A veteran of the professional coaching and playing ranks, Jukka Masalin joined the Orange as an assistant coach in January 2010 and was promoted to associate head coach for the program in 2014. Masalin was Ian McIntyre’s top aide for two seasons at Hartwick before teaming up with him again at Syracuse. Masalin assists McIntyre in all facets of the program, including recruiting, player training and development, game preparation and opponent scouting. Masalin's work was essential to the Orange's breakout 2012 campaign. Syracuse was the most improved team in the nation, posting a 14-6-1 record after going 3-12-1 in 2011. The team earned the program's second NCAA Tournament berth and advanced to the Sweet 16 (third round) before being eliminated on penalty kicks by eventual national finalist Georgetown. In addition, the Orange finished the year ranked 17th in the final NSCAA/Continental Tire Poll, the second time in school history Syracuse appeared in the organization's final rankings. For their efforts, Masalin and rest of the Orange coaches were selected as the 2012 BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year. Masalin was also named one of the top 15 Division I assistants in the country for 2012 by College Soccer News. He earned the recognition again in 2015 after helping the Orange to its most successful season in program history at that time. Syracuse won the ACC Tournament title and advanced to the College Cup for the first time in school history. Masalin was then an integral part o