UMass men's soccer coach Sam Koch fighting cancer

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - Twenty-three-year veteran UMass Soccer Coach Sam Koch says that he has been diagnosed with cancer.

According to a news release sent to 22News by UMass Media Relations, Koch made the announcement to his players that he will soon be undergoing treatment. He will remain in his role as head coach, but in the meantime, day-to-day operations of the team will be handled by new Assistant Coach Devin O’Neill.

Koch expressed optimism that he will be fully back to work by the time the Atlantic 10 season starts.

“The cancer is isolated to the sinus area and with a treatment schedule that begins during the pre-season, the plan my doctors have in line for me should have me back fully on the sidelines for the start of the Atlantic 10 season,” Koch said.

Athletic Director John McCutcheon said that Koch’s team members and the entire athletic staff will be standing by him as he fights the illness.

In his 23 years with UMass, Koch led the UMass men's soccer team to three NCAA tournaments. He is the winningest coach in the men's soccer program's history.