Bio

Peter Doneit, who was named the CACC Coach of the Year in 2025, is entering his 11th year as the University of Bridgeport's head men's soccer coach in 2026-27. A longtime staple of UB Athletics, Doneit had previously served as a Purple Knights’ assistant coach for 15 seasons.

Doneit's tenure at the helm of the Purple Knights has been marked by sustained success, particularly in recent seasons.

The 2025 campaign stands as one of the most memorable in program history. Under Doneit's leadership, UB captured its first conference championship since 2001, claiming the CACC title in dramatic fashion.

After being reduced to 10 men in the 53rd minute of the championship match, the Purple Knights erased a 3-1 deficit with three unanswered goals over the final 35 minutes of regulation to stun top-seeded Post and secure the conference crown.

UB carried that momentum into the NCAA Tournament, defeating the very same Eagles squad in the opening round to earn the program's first NCAA Tournament victory since 1990. The Purple Knights concluded the season with a 9-5-8 overall record, finishing unbeaten in CACC play at 5-0-5 while navigating the 12th-toughest schedule in all of NCAA Division II.

Since 2018, Doneit has guided Bridgeport to 62 victories, including four seasons with 10 or more wins. In 2023, the Purple Knights posted a 10-7-3 record and advanced to the CACC Championship match.

Prior to the program's move to the CACC, Doneit led Bridgeport to the ECC Championship match in 2019, compiling an 11-5-2 record and earning ECC Co-Coach of the Year honors.

Academics have also remained a cornerstone of Doneit’s program. The Purple Knights led the conference with 10 selections to the CACC’s 2025 All-Academic Team, while 28 student-athletes earned a place on the league’s Academic Honor Roll following the Fall 2025 semester. Individually, senior Bruno Cakurs garnered one of the nation’s highest academic honors when he was named a first-team Academic All-American by the College Sports Communicators (CSC).

Over his 26 years at the University of Bridgeport, Doneit has played a pivotal role in the program's success, helping the Purple Knights capture two conference championships and two ECAC titles while earning two NCAA Tournament berths and 19 conference tournament appearances over the last 21 seasons.

A USSF “A” license coach, Doneit currently is a coach in the US Soccer Development Academy system with Beachside Soccer Club where he has led the 13/14, 15/16 and 17/18 teams and directed the 2016 team to the national playoffs in Frisco, Texas. He has coached a total of five players that have been called up to the United States Youth National Teams.

Pete was named the US Youth Soccer Boys National Coach of the Year in 2010, the US Youth Soccer Region 1 Coach of the Year that same season. Also in 2010, he received the NSCAA East Region Youth Coach of the Year Award, plus Doneit was selected as the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association Coach of the Year and Young Coach of the Year in 2009 and 2010.

Over his 17 seasons at Beachside, Pete has led multiple teams to state and regional titles and championship game appearances. In addition, he is the head coach of the Super 20 Team that in 2012 made it to the semifinals of the USL National Finals in Rockford, Illinois, and that team has made seven national championship appearances.

After a four-year career at Division I Hartwick College, Doneit had a stint as a player in South Africa and also spent time in the USISL and the Pro Select League in the United States.

Pete and his wife Heather reside in Stamford, Conn. with their sons Zachary Peter and Benjamin Stewart.