ALBUQUERQUE, NM (January 8, 2018) New Mexico United announced today the hiring of local, New Mexico soccer standout, University of New Mexico (UNM) coach and former player, Mike Graczyk, under the guidance of Head Coach Troy Lesesne. Mike Graczyk joins New Mexico United as the First Assistant Coach and Director of Goalkeepers.

Graczyk spent the last 4 years as the Associate Head Coach at his alma mater, the University of New Mexico. Graczyk, an Albuquerque native, joins three native New Mexican players signed to the team, Devon Sandoval, Justin Schmidt and Joshua Suggs.

“The first thing that struck me about Mike was what a phenomenal person he is. He's incredibly humble and puts the players he works with first,” said Lesesne. “When you couple these attributes with what a talent he is on the field coaching, it's easy to see how fortunate our club will be to have someone like this as part of our technical staff.”

Graczyk joined UNM Head Coach Jeremy Fishbein’s Lobo coaching staff after three seasons as a member of Stanford Cardinal coaching staff. The Stanford Cardinal underwent a five-win improvement in Graczyk’s short time in Palo Alto. In the 2014 season, Stanford advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA, before falling to PAC-12 rival Washington.

"First and foremost, I would like to thank Troy, Peter and the rest of the New Mexico United ownership group for providing me this incredible opportunity,” said Graczyk. “I would also like to thank my former boss and mentor, Jeremy Fishbein, for everything that he has done for me as a player and a coach. The New Mexico soccer community means the world to me and my family, and I feel humbled and excited to be able to represent the community at this level."

Graczyk was a member of the UNM Lobo soccer program from 2003 to 2007 and has cemented himself in the New Mexico record books. Graczyk holds the second place in program history in career appearances (66), career wins (44) and career goals against average (0.68). He is the UNM goalkeeping record holder in career shutouts (30), wins in a season (18) and shutouts in a season (13). Graczyk was the starting goalkeeper for the 2005 season that saw the Lobos advance all the way to the national championship match.

During his college soccer career, Graczyk earned NSCAA Academic All-District and Academic All-MPSF honors. After his senior season in 2007, Graczyk was selected by the Colorado Rapids in the MLS Draft. Graczyk played with the Rapids, FC Dallas and the San Jose Earthquakes for the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

Graczyk was the Albuquerque Tribune Player of the Year and the Gatorade New Mexico Player of the Year in 2002, after propelling La Cueva High School to a state championship. He was a First Team All- State selection with a state-best 0.41 goals allowed average for the Bears.

For more information about Mike Graczyk, visit the New Mexico United Technical Staff page.