Al Meneses joins Southern Wesleyan in the fall of 2021 with over 25 years of coaching experience at all levels of soccer, including semi-professional, amateur, NCAA, NJCAA, ODP, premier, travel and youth programs.  

Meneses served as the Head Men's Soccer Coach for the York College Cardinals for four seasons before joining the Southern Wesleyan staff.  After going winless in two-straight seasons, Meneses helped the Cardinals snap the streak in 2017 by capturing their first season-opening win since 2014.  During a season that saw a change in the program's culture and direction, Meneses developed a CUNYAC second-team All-Star in Maxwell Oguijuba, and Tyrese Jackson, a Sportsmanship Team selection.  In his rookie season, Meneses' squad featured 14 first-year players. 

Under Meneses' tutelage, York posted its second-straight season-opening win to kickoff the 2018 campaign. with a cast of 12 newcomers.  Meneses coached Rohan Burrell, the program's first CUNYAC first-team All-Star since 2014.   

Meneses previously coached as an assistant on the women's soccer staff at Suffolk County Community College.  During his three seasons at SCCC, Meneses  assisted in the transformation of a nationally ranked program.  In addition to his NJCAA experience, Meneses served two seasons as assistant women's soccer coach at his alma mater, St. John’s University, where he played an integral role in developing the program into a competitive NCAA Division I team.  

Meneses guided the Port Jefferson men's under-23 team to an undefeated LISFL Ryder-Vass Championship and then won the  U23 NY State Championship in 2017.  Then in 2018, he was pursued by the Long Island Rough Riders to guide their U23 men's LISFL team as head coach, which he led to the quarterfinals in the playoffs. He was then also hired as a staff Coach for the LISC program and is heading both the boys 2001 and girls 2003 teams competing in the National EDP League.

Since 1993, Meneses has served as the director of training and player development for the Sound Soccer Academy in Miller Place, New York.  In this role, Meneses handles day-to-day business activities and operating expenses, as well as develops and implements all curriculums for camps, clinics, team and personal training. Through Sound Soccer Academy, Meneses has coached, trained and managed travel and premier teams ranging from ages 9-23 for many soccer clubs throughout Long Island and New York.  

Since 2010, Meneses has coached the Long Island Rough Riders and Port Jefferson Soccer Club open and reserves men’s teams.  For the Port Jefferson Soccer Club, Meneses has worked with recent NCAA Division I, II and III graduates, as well as other amateur players looking for a professional contract and has helped to develop the men’s program into one of the most competitive in the state.  As part of the Rough Riders, he has trained and coached Super-Y League teams ranging from ages 12-18.  Meneses played an integral coaching role in the USL Super-Y National Championship won by the GU14 team in 2015.  He also served as head coach for the former Rough Riders BU18 College Showcase team.

As a New York Red Bulls certified trainer and staff coach for the Long Island Rough Riders organization, Meneses was selected as one of the best USL North American Super Y League coaches in the Region in 2015 and was given the opportunity to become a Regional and National scout.  

Meneses received his bachelor's of science in aerospace engineering from NYU-Polytechnic University, and also has a bachelor’s of science in physical science from St. John’s University.  He also has licensing and education from the NSCAA and the US Soccer Federation. As a student-athlete, Meneses was a one-year member (1984) at Hartwick College men's soccer program and a two-year member (1985-86) of the St. John’s men's soccer team prior to a brief professional playing career with the Long Island Rough Riders (USISL) and Glen Cove Xara (NEPSL).

Coach Meneses and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of Daniel and Nicole.