In May of 2002, Justin Terranova was named head coach of the team he once played for. Since returning to Methodist, Terranova has directed his alma mater to 10 or more victories 15 different times. Overall, he has a record of 216-150-35 and has coached 110 Monarchs to All-Conference laurels.

In 2023, Terranova was named the USA South Coach of the Year, earning the honor for the first time in his career. Under his leadership, the Monarchs were crowned regular season champs of the USA South, posting a 6-1-0 record against conference opponents. Methodist finished the season with a 10-4-2 record overall and had six players garner USA South All-Conference accolades, including Goalkeeper of the Year Trey Gohr.

In 2015, the Monarchs (14-5-3, 8-0-2 USA South) earned their eighth trip to the NCAA Championships by capturing the USA South Conference Tournament title and its accompanying automatic bid with a 2-1 win over Greensboro. Including the victory against the Pride, MU won 11-straight games on its way to the national tournament. Six players claimed all-conference honors with four student-athletes garnering first team accolades. Eirik Nordseth also became the ninth All-American in program history with a third team nod from the NSCAA.

During the 2012 season, the Monarchs claimed the conference tournament championship by defeating Greensboro College, 1-0, to earn the USA South Athletic Conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III National Tournament. The team’s final record of 15-3-3 (5-1-2 USA South) marked its highest single-season winning percentage since 1996.

In addition to him coaching 104 all-conference selections, Terranova has coached another 10 players who were selected for the United Soccer Coaches/National Soccer Coaches of America Association’s NCAA Division III All-South Atlantic Region teams. Included in these achievements is Eirik Nordseth who was named all-region on two occasions to go along with four First Team All-USA South selections. Nordseth was named conference tournament MVP on two occasions, while earning USA South Rookie of the Year laurels in 2011. Along with those accolades, Eric McGinnis won conference player of the year in 2013. Alex Rabone (2014) and Zvi Ferrari (2017) were also named USA South Rookie of the Year. 

Terranova returned to Methodist in May 2002 following four years at NCAA Division I Old Dominion University from 1998-2001. While working in Norfolk, Va., he served as an assistant for his mentor and former Methodist coach, Alan Dawson. In addition to his work in ODU’s program, Terranova also helped to expand the Chesapeake United Soccer Club. He served as the program’s Director of Coaching from 1999-2002.

Terranova started in goal for MU from 1992-1995, and was a co-captain on the school’s 1995 NCAA Division III National Runner-Up team. In all, the program claimed four Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles as well as four NCAA Tournament bids during his time as goalkeeper. Terranova earned All-DIAC recognition during each of his four years, including first-team selections in 1992, 1993 and 1995. He holds the school records for career goals-against average (0.67 GAA) and shutouts (37) and single-season goals-against average (0.40 GAA in 1992). Additionally, he is tied with Lance Watkins for the program’s single-season shutout mark with 11 clean sheets in 1992.

Following his intercollegiate career, Terranova was a member of the 1996 Connecticut Wolves of the A-League.

Terranova graduated from Methodist in Dec. 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in physical education.

Before arriving on campus in Fayetteville, N.C., in the fall of 1992, Terranova played four seasons at Ridgefield High School in Ridgefield, Conn., and was a co-captain on Ridgefield’s 1992 team. His high school coach, Alcino Diniz, would later earn induction into the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame in 2005. Terranova holds a Premier Diploma and Goalkeeping Diploma from the NSCAA as well as a National Youth Diploma and ‘A’ License from the USSF. He is also active in the surrounding community as he directs the Liberty Point Soccer Club in Fayetteville. In recent years, Terranova has served on the staffs of summer camps at the N.C. State and at Old Dominion University.

Terranova married Jeannette Cox on May 5, 2001, in Norfolk, Va. She is also a graduate of Methodist, and was a cheerleader at the school. Jeannette captained the 1998 Methodist cheer team that finished third at that year’s National Cheerleaders Association National Championship. Jeannette works locally in the Cumberland County school system, as she is currently in her 21st year. They are proud parents of Samuel Pierce, born on March 28, 2004, and Olivia Kay, born April 15, 2008, both of whom are accomplished soccer players representing North Carolina FC. Samuel played for NCFC from U12 through U19 Development Academy and, Olivia with NCFC ECNL08 and locally at Terry Sanford High School.

Terranova's Record at Methodist…

Season

Record (Overall)

Record (Conference)

Season Notes…

2002

11-7-2

3-3-1

Five All-Conference selections

2003

10-7-2

4-3-0

Four All-Conference selections

2004

11-6-2

4-2-0

Eight All-Conference selections

2005

7-12-1

3-3-0

Seven All-Conference selections

2006

14-5-1

3-2-1

Seven All-Conference selections

2007

13-7-1

3-2-1

Seven All-Conference selections

2008

11-9-0

4-2-0

Six All-Conference selections

2009

10-10-0

4-2-0

Six All-Conference selections

2010

11-9-0

3-3-3

Six All-Conference selections

2011

11-4-2

4-2-0

Seven All-Conference selections

2012

15-3-3

5-1-2

USA South Tournament Champs / NCAA Division III National Tournament / Six All-Conference selections

2013

11-7-2

7-1-1

USA South Reg. Season Champs / Six All-Conference selections / USA South Player of the Year

2014

13-3-1

8-2-0

Seven All-Conference selections / USA South Rookie of the Year

2015

14-5-3

8-0-2

USA South Tournament Champs / NCAA Division III National Tournament / Six All-Conference selections

2016

8-8-1

5-4-0

Six All-Conference selections

2017

12-6-1

8-3-0

Three All-Conference selections / USA South Rookie of the Year

2018

7-9-2

4-6-2

One All-Conference selection

2019

4-11-1

2-10-1

2020-21

2-4-1

2-4-0

Two All-Conference selections

2021

2-11-2

0-6-1

2022

9-3-5

4-1-2

Four All-Conference selections

2023

10-4-2

6-1-0

USA South Reg. Season Champs / Six All-Conference selections / USA South Goalkeeper of the Year /

USA South Coach of the Year

TOTALS

216-150-35

94-63-17