A member of the Liberty men’s soccer coaching staff since 2010, A.J. Madero currently serves as an assistant coach on Jeff Alder’s staff. Madero joined the staff as a volunteer assistant in 2010. He assists in practice instruction, goalkeeper coaching and recruiting. In addition, he is involved in game strategy and alumni relations.
In two of Madero’s four seasons, the Flames have reached the Big South Championship title game. In 2013, Madero assisted head coach Jeff Alder in helping Liberty rebound from a slow start early in the year to advance the 2013 Big South title game. The Flames became the first No. 7 seed to play for the conference title since 1992. Liberty shut out No. 2 seed High Point (1-0) and No. 3 Longwood to earn a place in the Big South title contest.
Madero, a native of Tampa, Fla., earned All-Big South second team accolades in 2009, as well as garnering conference player of the week honors during the season. Additionally, the goalkeeper was a member of Liberty’s 2007 Big South Conference championship team. Madero also etched his name on several Liberty single season and career record lists, despite suffering a season-ending injury during the Flames’ first round Big South Tournament contest in 2009. He holds the lowest career goals-against average in Big South Conference history with a 0.52 GAA.
Madero earned his Bachelor of Science degree in general studies with a specialization in kinesiology from Liberty in 2010 and earned a master’s degree in sports management this past spring. He also serves as the goalkeeping director at Central Virginia United and has been involved in youth soccer coaching and instructional camp throughout the area.