The Mercy High School Athletic Department is proud to announce Aaron Pfeil as the new Head Coach of Varsity Girls Soccer. Longtime Head Coach Tom James will remain an integral part of the program, stepping into the role of Assistant Coach to support a seamless transition and uphold the program's tradition of excellence.
Coach Pfeil arrives at Mercy with an impressive background in both high school and club soccer, bringing over a decade of experience, proven leadership, and a passion for player development.
Athletic Director Brandon Malinowski shared his enthusiasm for the hire, stating, "After several conversations, it became clear that Aaron's deep knowledge of the game, passion for soccer, and understanding of Mercy High School and the Catholic League make him the perfect fit to continue growing Mercy Soccer into a premier program in both the Catholic League and the MHSAA. I am excited to see Coach Pfeil lead this program and build upon the strong traditions that Coach James has helped create and nurture."
The Mercy community extends sincere gratitude to Coach Tom James for his leadership and lasting impact on the program. His commitment has set a high standard of excellence that will continue to guide the team moving forward.
Coach Pfeil brings extensive experience from his years coaching at Dearborn High School, where from 2011 to 2020 he led both the boys and girls varsity soccer programs. Under his leadership, Dearborn earned five Western Wayne Athletic Conference (WWAC) Championships, five Division I District Championships, and Pfeil was named District 9 Coach of the Year five times.
His coaching career also includes assistant roles at L'Anse Creuse North and Anchor Bay High Schools, as well as more than a decade of involvement with some of Michigan's top club programs, including Nationals Soccer Club, Vardar East, Puma Premier, Michigan Burn Soccer Academy, and Bay Area Soccer Club.
Reflecting on his new role, Coach Pfeil said, "I am truly honored and excited to take on the role of Varsity Soccer Coach at Mercy. This program has a proud tradition of excellence, and I'm committed to building on that strong foundation. I'm also excited to work alongside Coach James as we continue to raise the bar this program has set. This fall, I had the privilege of coaching the Varsity Men's Soccer team at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School. At U of D, we captured a district title, were ranked in the top fifteen of the MIHSSCA division one rankings throughout the season, and earned twelve more wins than the previous year. From 2011 to 2020, I spent a decade coaching Varsity Soccer at Dearborn High School, where our teams won seven district titles in ten years. I currently serve as a staff coach with Nationals Soccer Club in Oakland County, and I'm eager to bring that experience and passion to Mercy."
Coach James also expressed excitement for the future, sharing, "I look forward to working alongside Coach Pfeil as we keep building upon the foundation we have set for our program over recent years. His coaching experience and enthusiasm for the game will ensure our program continues to grow and find success both on and off the field."
Coach Tania Macioce will also return as Varsity Assistant Coach, rounding out a strong and experienced leadership team for the Marlins.
