Just the second head coach in the program’s 12-year history, Mike Haines begins his 11th season at Western Michigan. Bringing stability and experience, Haines is the third-longest tenured coach in the Mid-American Conference.
In three of the past five years, Haines has guided Western Michigan to a top-three finish in the MAC, highlighted by a MAC Tournament Championship in 2003. That same year, WMU qualified for its first NCAA Tournament in school history, upsetting nationally-ranked Illinois in the first round of the College Cup.
In 2005, Haines guided WMU to its best start ever in league play (7-1), knocking off two NCAA Tournament teams and earning a regional ranking. The Brown & Gold also rattled off six straight wins, the second longest win streak in school history.
Under Haines’ direction, Western Michigan has made eight MAC postseason appearances, reaching the semifinals on three occasions. His teams have recorded a .500-or-better league record in seven of the past eight seasons and have recorded double-digit overall win totals on five occasions.
At the same time, Haines has coached 10 All-MAC players ? who have earned a total of 16 All-MAC certificates ? and three All-Great Lakes Region selections. Four of his first-year players have also been named to the MAC All-Freshmen Teams. Additionally, Haines’ athletes get the job done in the classroom, as 10 players have collected 12 Academic All-MAC honors, and one academic all-district award.
A look at Haines’ milestones since 1998:
2005 - Earned a regional ranking and guided team to its best league start ever (7-1).
2004 - Recorded a 7-1-2 road record and defeated Ball State in the opening round of the MAC Tournament.
2003 - Captured school’s first MAC Tournament Championship and win in its first ever NCAA College Cup apperarance. Posted a 14-8-1 overall record, the most wins in school history and went undefeated in 10 home matches.
2002 - Captured the inaugural Bronco Soccer Classic.
2001 - Tallied 13 goals en route to the Binghamton adidas Soccer Classic title, the program’s first-ever tournament championship.
2000 - Advanced to the MAC Tournament Semifinals. That run included an opening round victory over rival Central Michigan, the first tourney win in program history.
1999 - Defeated UNLV, Valparaiso and Northern Illinois.
1998 - Recorded first win with a 2-1 decision over Detroit followed by a victory over Central Michigan.
Taking over the WMU program on Aug. 11, 1998, Haines was no stranger to the Kalamazoo community. For two seasons (1996-97), Haines coached next door at his alma mater, Division III Kalamazoo College. He directed the Hornet women to a 32-3-3 record and a pair of second place finishes in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). His 1997 squad captured a school-record 18 wins and reached the NCAA Tournament.
A Kalamazoo native, he directed the Kalamazoo Quest through its inaugural season in the W-2 League of the United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues (USISL), which consists of pro and collegiate players and is the highest level of women’s soccer played in the United States.
A USSF “C” licensed coach, Haines’ success also extends to the prep ranks, where twice he has been honored on the state level ? first as Class C Private School Coach of the Year for the boy’s team at Hackett Catholic Central in 1995 then as Class B-C-D Coach of the Year for the Hackett girls in 1996.
Haines led Hackett to the 1995 Class C boys title with a 22-2 record and guided the Irish girls to three consecutive state finals (1996-98) with an overall record of 67-4.
Haines received his bachelor’s degree from Kalamazoo College in 1993. He lettered four seasons for the Hornets (1989-92), earning All-MIAA Second Team honors twice and captaining the 1992 squad.
Haines is married to the former Kristen Cooper and the couple has two daughters, Kasey and Anna.
