Mick McDermott brings family to Kingston Campus while nearby for World Cup
KINGSTON, R.I. \u2013 July 2, 2026 \u2013 As stoppage time expired in Ghana’s World Cup group stage match against England on June 23, Mick McDermott turned his back to the pitch and stared into section 129 of Boston Stadium. Raising his arms above his head with both fists in the air, McDermott looked for his wife Karla and their children in the sellout crowd.<\/p>\n
The Ghana National Soccer Team played to a draw against one of the world\u2019s most historic soccer powers, a massive result for the Black Stars.<\/p>\n
McDermott\u2019s celebration on soccer\u2019s biggest stage brought his soccer story full circle. A story that stretches from his upbringing in Belfast, Ireland, to his college years in Kingston at the University of Rhode Island. Along the way, he also had key stops in Oregon and Abu Dahbi.<\/p>\n
This summer marks his second time coaching in the World Cup. Now an assistant coach for Carlos Queiroz with Ghana, McDermott was also part of Queiroz’ staff with the Iran National Soccer Team for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. McDermott has a rolodex of connections from a lifetime committed to the sport, which has made him a valuable asset to soccer clubs across the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is the same in any business. It\u2019s about connections,\u201d McDermott said about his coaching journey that has stretched from a stop as an assistant coach at Oregon State University to international positions across Europe and Asia. Many of the same coaches McDermott worked with during the 2018 World Cup with Iran are now on the coaching staff together for Ghana.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s high pressure in this line of work and you can lose your job very easily,” McDermott said. “I tend to surround myself with people who I have worked with before.\u201d<\/p>\n
He played outside back for Rhode Island under legendary head coach Ed Bradley from 1992-95, graduating from URI in 1996 with a bachelor\u2019s degree in physical education.
Thanks to the 2026 World Cup draw placing Ghana in Group L for the opening stage of the tournament, McDermott returned to New England. The host site for Ghana’s group play was Gillette Stadium (temporarily changed to Boston Stadium due to FIFA regulations). Playing in Foxboro, Massachusetts, meant that Ghana\u2019s training site would be close by. McDermott did not expect it to be just shy of 40 miles north of Kingston.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we started getting information as to where we were going to be, I saw Rhode Island. What are the chances of that?\u201d McDermott said. \u201cIt was a nice surprise.\u201d<\/p>\n
McDermott was a three-time Atlantic 10 All-Conference team honoree during his time with the Rams. He was a member of Rhode Island\u2019s 1995 Atlantic 10 Championship winning squad that finished the year 19-2-2 overall and 10-0-1 in A-10 competition. The Rams 19 wins remains the program\u2019s most in a single season to date.<\/p>\n
A trip back to New England brought McDermott back to his collegiate soccer roots, but it also meant an unexpected excursion back to where he and his wife Karla (Bragg) first met more than 30 years ago. Karla, a Rhode Island volleyball alumna, won an Atlantic 10 title with the Rams in 1996. She graduated in 1998 and finished her career third in program history in total blocks. She still ranks in the top 10 all time today. Her passion for Rhody has transcended international borders\u2014she volunteers from a far as a global ambassador with the URI Foundation.<\/p>\n
Mick and Karla met at a party while student-athletes at Rhode Island. Mick was a junior and Karla was a freshman, and they were married a year later before either had graduated.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe got married in a judges office in Warwick and 30 years later we’re still here,\u201d said Mick.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was one of those things you do when you\u2019re young,\u201d Karla added.<\/p>\n
Karla and Mick made a visit to their alma mater for the first time in 15 years the day after Ghana’s historic result against England. The two brought their three children for a walk around the Kingston campus, joining Rhode Island men\u2019s soccer head coach Gareth Elliott for a tour of their former stomping grounds. They reminisced about memories of Keaney Gymnasium, while discussing their academic advisor Winkle Kelley and the close soccer matches Mick participated in.<\/p>\n
After 30 years, four kids, and countless coaching stops around the world, Kingston still feels like home for the McDermotts.
\u201cThe drive here down Route 138 was like a time warp,\u201d Mick said. \u201cThings have changed but it still feels the same.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe couldn\u2019t miss the opportunity to bring the kids back to see where it all started,\u201d said Karla. \u201cThere were amazing people here. It was a family.\u201d Copyright © 2026 University of Rhode Island | University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA | 1.401.874.1000
This story was written by Stone Freeman, assistant athletic director of media relations for URI\u2019s athletic department.<\/em><\/p>\n
The University of Rhode Island is an equal opportunity employer.<\/p>\n