ELMIRA, N.Y. -- Interim Director of Athletics Rhonda Faunce announced on Tuesday that Anthony Goncalves will take the reins of the Elmira College baseball team as the second head coach in program history, effective July 15.
Goncalves, who joined the Elmira staff as an assistant for the 2021 season, replaces seven-year head coach Corey Paluga. Paluga resigned from his post to pursue other professional opportunities and move closer to family with his wife, EC alumna Bridget Catanese Paluga '08.
"I'm sad to be losing Corey from our staff but am very confident in Anthony's ability to be our next leader of the baseball team," Faunce said. "Moving Anthony to the head coaching position was a very easy and natural decision based on the recommendations from the team and staff involved. In just one year as an assistant with the program, he has made a great impact on the team. He has proven to be a great teacher of the game and has a great recruiting network that will help him be successful."
"It is a great honor to be the head baseball coach at Elmira College," Goncalves said. "I'd like to thank Rhonda Faunce for the opportunity. This program has the foundation to compete at a high level, and I cannot wait to get to work."
A native of Union, New Jersey, Goncalves' resume includes a decade of experience at Division II and III institutions throughout Pennsylvania. In 2020, he spent 11 months as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at nearby Mansfield University. He served in a similar capacity at Thomas Jefferson University (formerly Philadelphia University) from 2016-18 and helped the Rams qualify for consecutive Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Tournaments during his first two seasons. At Thomas Jefferson, Goncalves mentored two CACC Players of the Year, a pair of All-Americans, and the sixth MLB draft pick in team history.
Goncalves began his coaching at his alma mater, Misericordia University, from 2011-13. Under the tutelage of renowned head coach Pete Egbert, he helped transform the Cougars into a regional powerhouse. Not only did Misericordia win three consecutive MAC Freedom championships, but the Cougars appeared in the national rankings for the first time in 2012. The following spring, they broke the program record for wins in a season with 39, a mark that still stands eight years later.
After his tenure with the Cougars, Goncalves assisted the staff at Arcadia University for two seasons. The Knights witnessed one of the biggest turnarounds in program history during those two years with Goncalves in the dugout, improving by 11 games in the win column in 2015.
As a student-athlete, Goncalves began his collegiate career at Union County College before transferring to Misericordia, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Sports Management. He received a master's degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University Irvine in 2018.