OSHAWA, Ont. – Ramin Mohammadi's journey to Ontario Tech Athletics is a testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence and personal growth. As a coach, he's dedicated to helping his athletes develop on and off the field.
 
For Mohammadi, coaching is more than just drawing up plays and drilling tactics -- it's about building deep connections with his players, instilling a sense of trust, and positively influencing their lives.
 

A passion for people

When Mohammadi reflects on his coaching career, he's reminded of the powerful connections he's made with people along the way.
 
"My philosophy in coaching has been changed over the years based on my experience, my knowledge, my education," said Mohammadi. "Today, if anybody asks me about my philosophy, it's about connection. When you're coaching and leading, it means that you're working with human beings. When you work with the human beings, the most important thing is the connection."
 
Mohammadi truly values the relationships he has with his athletes. He understands that the foundation of any successful team is built on a strong, mutual bond between coach and player.
 
"When you connect with people that you coach or you lead, then you will be able to build trust," Mohammadi said. "When you build trust, then you can have influence on those people in a positive and productive way. When you influence these people, the individual you're working with, you're leading with, they buy into what you say, what you bring on the table, and they go through the wall for you, as we say."
 
As a coach, Mohammadi goes above and beyond to help his athletes reach their full potential. He's constantly seeking out new coaching techniques and strategies to stay ahead of the curve and give his players the best possible experience.
 
In addition to his extensive coaching education, Mohammadi is also a certified yoga instructor. He incorporates mindfulness and meditation into his coaching style to help his athletes manage stress and improve mental focus.
 
"When I coach soccer, I also teach yoga," Mohammadi said. "It's a different philosophy, but it's all about the same thing, about connecting with people, working with people, and influencing them in a positive way."
 

A winning culture

Mohammadi's unique approach to fostering teamwork and unity has been a driving force behind the success of the men's soccer team. Under Mohammadi's leadership, the Ridgebacks have achieved numerous program firsts, including going to their first OUA Finals and advancing to, as well as hosting, the 2024 Bruce Power U SPORTS Men's Soccer Championships.
 
"I'm glad that I was able to connect with them, to influence them, that they believe when we tell them something, they buy into it," Mohammadi said of his players. "And I'm grateful that I have this experience, especially this year with this group that we're going to the finals of the OUA, and we earned our spot at nationals, and we always strive for that, to be at nationals. Not just because we are hosting, we also earned the spot."
 
Mohammadi's dedication to athlete development and his unwavering commitment to creating a positive environment within the athletics program have made him a beloved figure on campus.
 
As he continues to inspire and uplift those around him, Mohammadi's impact will be felt for years to come.
 
"I love to learn about new information so I can share it with people I work with," Mohammadi said. "I went to the Canadian system, obtained my A license, but I wanted to learn more. So I went to the U.S. and went through their coaching license system and obtained my A license in the U.S. But I want to see what European coaches do, so I pursued my UEFA A license in Northern Ireland. I'm part of Ontario Soccer as a coach educator, so I like to share my knowledge and experience."

For his players, Mohammadi is an integral part of their experience at Ontario Tech.

"He's our 12^th man on the pitch," said Matthew Keeler.