Coaches
Mike Russo
Mike Russo founded Berkshire Ajax in 1995. His philosophy has always been on player development and instilling in his players a love for the game, improving skill, enhancing the tactical and mental side of their game, as well as teaching them to respect all participants in the game.
Russo coached at Williams College for 36 years, coaching six final four teams and winning the National Championship in 1995. He was named the national Div. III Coach of the Year four times (1987, 1988, 1993, 1995), and was the first collegiate coach on any level to win this honor back-to-back.
Four of Russo’s Ephs have been selected to their national team and have earned international caps, four have been named Div III Player of the Year. Forty-two Ephs coached by Russo have been named to All- American teams, and 59 have earned All-New England honors.
Coach Russo continues to inspire and develop local players and coaches with his immense knowledge and passion for the game.
Blair Dils
Blair Dils has been the boys’ soccer coach at Mount Greylock Regional High School since 1999. His teams are regularly ranked in the top 10 in Western Mass, and many former Mounties have gone on to excel at the college level. In 2008 his team won Mount Greylock’s second state title. Prior to Mount Greylock, Dils coached at Williams College, Berwick Academy (ME), and Marshwood (ME) High School.
Holder of a NSCAA (now United Soccer Coaches) national diploma, Dils has coached for Berkshire Ajax since 2002, heading boys and girls teams from U12 through U19. Dils is also the Williams College assistant squash coach and an English teacher at Mount Greylock Regional High School.
Kirstin Holmgren
I started with AJAX as a player, and I had a memorable adventure traveling to England and Ireland playing soccer with AJAX. I loved my time as a player, and this was an excellent preparation for my High School and College playing careers. I played at Mt.Greylock Regional High School and spent my summers attending soccer camps on both the East and West Coast. I was also invited and participated in the top 100 High School Players Invitational camp at the University of South Carolina. I have played college soccer at Californian Lutheran University and Castleton State University. Once I graduated from college, I was given the opportunity to coach for AJAX and have been coaching ever since. I have since earned my NSCAA National Coaching License. I am also a Certified New York State High School Referee. I continue to play in women's leagues as well as my Alumni Game annually.
Garrett Derosier
Playing Career:
- High School:
-2x Vermont State Semi-final appearances with MAU
-Vermont Twin State Team
-Berkshire Ajax U17 & U19
- College:
- Hudson Valley Community College Men’s Soccer (NJCAA) - 1 year
-MCLA Men’s Soccer (NCAA D3) - 3 years
- Post College:
- 5 years of Semi-Pro soccer in the USL2 and NPSL with Black Rock FC, Albany Rush, and New York Shockers.
Coaching:
- Black Rock FC Girls U14 & U19
- Hoosac Valley High School Boys Varsity
- Berlin Central Boys Varsity Assistant
- Hoosac School Boys 2nd Team Head Coach
- Berkshire Ajax U17 Boys
Seth Rogers
Seth Rogers coached at Mt Greylock High School from 2004 to 2023 amassing a record of 183 wins, 43 ties and 83 losses including two undefeated seasons. He has coached at Berkshire Ajax for three years.
A walk-on to the Reed College team in Portland Oregon he started and played all four years.
He is also a Massachusetts licensed referee.
Zeb Miner
I am a former Mt. Anthony midfielder, and have coached for the MAU Boys soccer program for the last 14 years. I began as a middle school coach and worked my way up to the high school level in 2018. This upcoming season will be my second year as varsity head coach for MAU. I am a member of the United Soccer Coaches Association. I have always been a advocate for the Berkshire Ajax Club and look forward to keeping the MAU/Ajax connection for the future.