Robert Montanaro

Assistant Coach

Connecticut

Division 1

Robbie Montanaro joined the Huskies coaching staff in August of 2024. 

Montanaro spent this past year as the first assistant at Adrian College. Montanaro was previously the head coach at Boston University Academy where he led the Terriers to an 11-1 record and a league title in 2023. 

Before his time at Boston University Academy, he was a private goalkeeper coach for high school, college, and professional goalkeepers around the country. 

Montanaro graduated from Bates College where he started 47 games in net and made over 200 saves for the Bobcats. He graduated with a bachelors degree in Sociology. Montanaro played abroad in Scotland, Puerto Rico, Sweden, and the Czech Republic. While playing pro, he got his masters degree from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

Jacob Wilson

Assistant Coach

Cal-Berkeley

Division 1

Jacob Wilson returned to his alma mater when he joined the Cal mens soccer coaching staff in 2016 as an assistant coach under former Cal head coach Kevin Grimes - who mentored Wilson when the latter was a Golden Bears player.

Jake has played in all levels of soccer (Recreational, competitive club, high school, Division 1 college--Cal, semi-pro--PDL and NPSL, and professionally) He has a great understanding of what it means.

Jake has played in all levels of soccer: Recreational, competitive club, high school, Division 1 college--Cal, semi-pro--PDL and NPSL, and professionally) He has a great understanding of what it means to be successful in the soccer world. He is passionate about raising the level of soccer in the bay area and around the US, and that starts with the youth and getting involved in the community. He is coaching a U11 boys team at Lamorinda Soccer Club as well as being the Head Assistant Coach at Cal.

Achievements include:

2004-2009: Cal Mens Soccer

2 time pac-10 champions, 3 NCAA tournament appearances

Team captain 2008 and 2009 seasons

2010-2014: Professional Soccer Player

2014 spVgg Bayern Hof, Germany

2013-2014: Vasas FC Budapest, Hungary - Leading goal scorer

2012-2013: C.D. Feirense, Portugal

2010-2012: SV Germania 90 Schoeneiche, Germany-Leading goal scorer

Lukas Fernandes

Assistant Coach

Drexel

Division 1

My name is Lukas Fernandes, a Rochester, NY native who played his college ball in Philadelphia, PA at Temple University. 


After playing at Temple, I spent two years playing professionally for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Flower City Union. 


I began my coaching career at Temple University in 2022, before joining the staff over at Drexel University in March of 2023.

Chris Barrett

Head Coach

Radford

Division 1

Head Coach

Radford University

Jeremy Payne

Bucknell

Division 1

Jeremy Payne, a former local soccer star at Midd-West High School and Messiah University who was most recently the head coach at Whitworth University, joined the Bucknell men's soccer staff in June 2023. 

"I am thrilled to have Jeremy, who I have known since his time as a player at Messiah, joining the staff at Bucknell," said head coach Dave Brandt. "He is an impressive and well-connected young coach who is an excellent recruiter and is experienced beyond his years. An excellent addition to our staff, Jeremy will be involved in every area of the program, both on and off the field."

A native of nearby Middleburg, Pa., Payne was an All-State player and two-time Daily Item Player of the Year during his days at Midd-West. He went on to star at Division III power Messiah, where he was the 2012 and 2014 United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Year. A key member of Messiah's 2012 and 2013 national championship teams, Payne was a three-time First Team All-America selection, and he was the D3Soccer.com Midfielder of the Year in 2012 and Forward of the Year in 2014. 

Payne launched his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Eastern University in 2015, and after two seasons he was elevated to head coach. In his first season in 2017, he led the Eagles to a 13-4-2 record, and one year later his squad finished 18-3-2, won MAC Freedom Conference regular-season and tournament titles, and reached the final 16 of the NCAA Division III Tournament. Eastern was recognized as the United Soccer Coaches Mid-Atlantic Region Staff of the Year in 2018. Despite heavy graduation losses, his team repeated as conference champs and returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2019.

After compiling a 42-17-5 record during his three seasons as head coach at Eastern, Payne accepted the head coaching position at Whitworth in Spokane, Wash., in April of 2020. After a COVID-altered 2020-21 season, Payne's squads finished 16-17-5 over the last two seasons, when he coached 10 All-Northwest Conference players and two NWC Freshmen of the Year. 

From 2019-22, Payne also served as the director of player personnel and strategic planning as well as an assistant coach with West Chester United SC. He was involved with coaching the club's USL2, NPSL and U23 programs and worked with players from a number of Division I programs, including Notre Dame, Villanova, Penn State, Penn, Akron, and Princeton. The team finished 13-2-2 in its inaugural USL2 season in 2021, and he coached six players who were selected in the MLS SuperDraft and 12 who signed professional contracts. 

Payne returned to his native Central Pennsylvania in the spring of 2023 to serve as the director of coaching with the highly successful North Union United Soccer Club. He will also serve as an assistant coach at Bucknell under second-year head coach Dave Brandt, who was also a standout player and coach at Messiah and is a member of the school's Hall of Fame.

Brandon Tucker

Assistant Coach, Recruiting Coordinator

Furman

Division 1

Former Colorado Rapids forward Brandon Tucker joined the Furman staff as an assistant coach prior to the 2017 season.

Brandon Tucker will be a great addition to our staff, said Paladin head coach Doug Allison. He has played for and coached with Coach Boulware and was a tremendous player with the Region IV team, Presbyterian and as a professional. His experience as a college coach and as a player at the professional level will make him a great fit for Furman.

Tucker, a native of Englewood, Colo., played his college soccer for Paladin assistant coach Bret Boulware at Presbyterian College before serving as assistant coach from 2009-11 and as associate head coach for the Blue Hose from 2012-13. He earned All-South Atlantic Conference honors and NSCAA All-Region accolades three times during his playing career. As a coach, he helped Presbyterian transition into NCAA Division I soccer.

This past season, Tucker helped lead the Paladins to an 11-7-1 overall record and the program's league record 20th Southern Conference regular season title with a 5-1-0 mark. Furman placed seven players on All-Southern Conference teams, including in the inclusion of Rocky Guerra, Cole McLagan and Jack Shiels on the first team.

In second season since returning to the Paladin program, Furman posted a 13-7-2 record, claimed its 14th Southern Conference Tournament crown and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after edging UNCW in an opening-round penalty shootout. Laurence Wyke, the SoCon Tournament's Most outstanding Player, joined league goalkeeper of the year Ben Hale in earning first team All-SoCon honors.

In his first season at Furman, Tucker helped the Paladins to a 12-5-3 overall record and a 5-2-3 Southern Conference mark. The Paladins made a return to the national rankings on the strength of a six-match winning streak that included a triumph over then No. 4-ranked Denver. Junior Laurence Wyke garnered SoCon Player of the Year honors and United Soccer Coaches All-South Region accolades.

A 2010 inductee into the Colorado Soccer Hall of Fame, Tucker played for the Colorado Rapids in 2008 and 2009. He also played professionally for the Denver Dragons of the Premier Arena Soccer League.

I am truly thankful to Doug Allison for the opportunity to join the Furman Mens Soccer staff, said Tucker. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Allison and the very successful program he has built. Making the decision to get back into coaching after being away for four years was something that took a lot of reflection, but after meeting the team and knowing the history behind the program with the ability for me to learn from one of the best in college soccer made my decision that much easier. Along with building new relationships with alumni and the Furman community, I am looking forward to working with my longtime coach, friend and mentor Bret Boulware. My family and I are eager to join the Furman University family and I am excited for the future of Furman Mens Soccer.

Since 2002, Tucker has served as a head coach and administrator with COEVER, Colorados premier soccer training academy.

Tucker graduated from Presbyterian College in 2007 with a degree in business administration and a concentration in management. He and his wife Anastashia are the parents of three children, Skie, Harper, and Sawyer.

Nico Luque

Creighton

Division 1

Nico Luque enters his third season in 2026 with the Bluejays. His responsibilities encompass scholarship allotment budgeting, recruiting relations, training lesson plans, with a specification as our Opponent Scouting and Video Coordinator.

Luque came to Creighton after spending the 2023 season with the Greenville Triumph (USL League 1). He also brings 10 years of collegiate experience with stops at UMass Lowell (2022), USC Upstate (2017-22) and Concordia (2014-17).

Ive known Nico for many years, he brings a wealth of expertise in recruiting, scouting, and building meaningful connections with players and staff both professionally and personally said head coach Johnny Torres. 

Over the past 14 years that Ive been in the United States, Creighton has been one of the programs to set a standard of excellence in Mens Soccer, said Luque. 

Luque served as the recruiting coordinator at UMass Lowell and USC Upstate for three seasons. During his tenure at USC Upstate, Luque helped the Spartans climb as high as 46 in the RPI, including a 6-1-1 record in Big South play during the 2020 season. The Spartans went on to reach the Big South Tournament Finals, falling to High Point. He helped develop 11 Big South All-Conference selections and was part of the Big South Coaching Staff of the Year in 2020.

Luque received his Bachelor of Science in psychology from Southern Wesleyan with a minor in coaching. He later received his MBA with an emphasis in leadership from Concordia in 2016, as well as a Master of Science in athletic administration with an emphasis in collegiate athletics in 2017.

Luque has his USSF A License and NSCAA Advanced National Diploma.

Tyler Madeira

Assistant Coach

Muhlenberg

Division 3

Two-time all-conference forward Tyler Madeira joined the Muhlenberg men's soccer coaching staff for the 2021 season. Since his arrival at Muhlenberg, the Mules have won an ECAC Championship as well as a Centennial Conference Championship in back-to-back seasons.

Madeira played four years at Bloomsburg University, finishing his career with 39 points on 17 goals and 5 assists. He earned a spot on the All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference team twice, making the second team as a junior and the first team as a senior. Madeira led the Huskies with 10 goals in 2018, becoming the first Bloomsburg player in 15 years to record a hat trick.

Brandon Wachholz

Assistant Coach

Beloit

Division 3

Beloit College Men's Assistant Coach, WI ODP Staff Coach, Assistant Director Madison 56ers SC

Chris Koch

Assistant Coach

Stevens Institute of Tech

Division 3

Christopher Koch joined the men's soccer staff in March 2019 after a three-year stint on the sidelines for his alma mater, Washington (Md.) College, after the completion of his career on the pitch for the Shoremen. In Koch's time with the school, WC totaled 22 victories, including 10 victories in the 2016 season when the Shoremen advanced to the Centennial Conference semifinals. During Koch's time on the sidelines, seven players were named All-Centennial Conference.

As a player, Koch was a four-year defenseman for head coach Roy Dunshee, serving as captain in his senior season. During his senior campaign in 2015, Washington College posted its best record since 2003, while holding opponents to 1.24 goals per match. 

The Hadley, Massachusetts native graduated from Washington College in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History.

Brian Wright

Assistant Coach

Occidental

Division 3

Brian Wright enters his tenth year as Occidental College's men's soccer head assistant coach in the 2025-26 season.

Prior to joining the Occidental staff, Wright was an assistant coach for Caltech's men's soccer team for two seasons from 2014-2016.

A former Olympic Development Program (ODP) standout in southern California, Wright has been playing soccer since the age of five. He quickly knew soccer was his passion. His passion, combined with discipline and dedication, became the motivation to earn him a division 1 soccer scholarship to San Jose State University. Wright has played in several youth tournaments throughout Europe and has received world-renowned training from some of the best coaches at the professional level. This influence helped shape his personal philosophy and style of coaching. At the age of 17, he was offered a professional contract with Belgian side Club Brugge. Wright received his Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Cal State University, Northridge in 2007.

After capping off his collegiate career, Wright went on to train with the Los Angeles Galaxy as a reserve, followed by a stint in USL League One. In 2016, he completed his master's in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University in Irvine. He currently holds a U.S. Soccer Federation A-Senior Coaching License.

Scott Phipps

Head Coach

Thomas More

Division 3

Scott Phipps is entering his third season as the head men's soccer coach at Thomas More University during the 2024-25 academic year.

In his second season, Phipps led the Saints in their forst season at the NCAA Division II and Great Midwest Athletic Conference. The Saints saw an overall record of 10-7-3 and a G-MAC record of 7-5-2. Thomas More reached the G-MAC Semifinals where they fell to the #2 seeded Lake Erie Storm in PKs. Under the direction of Phipps, five Saints earned CSC Academic All-District honors, two earned All-Conference honors, and Karim Slim earned G-MAC Freshman of the Year.

In his first season at the helm, Phipps led the Thomas More Saints to an overall record of 10-6-2 and qualified for the Mid South Conference Tournament where they reached the Quarterfinals. The Saint's finished in 7th place of the MSC and had two 2nd Team All-MSC selections. 

Phipps came to Thomas More after spending the previous seven seasons as the Alderson Broaddus head men's soccer coach. At Alderson Broaddus Phipps coached seven All-Freshmen team members, two Freshman of the Year, nine All-Conference first team members, nine All-Conference second team members, two All-Conference honorable mention players, 2015 Defensive Player of the Year, 2016 Offensive Player of the Year, two ECAC second team members, five NSCAA All-Region players, and the ECAC Rookie of the year.

Under the guidance of Phipps, the Battlers qualified for the Great Midwest Athletic Championships in six straight seasons (2014-2019). Alderson Broaddus would win the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Championship in the 2016 season and earned a bid to the GMAC championship game in 2015 in route to earning GMAC Coach of the Year and coaching the conference Defensive Player of the Year.

Before Alderson Broaddus Phipps would spend five seasons as the first assistant at Rockhurst University. He also served as the team's recruiting coordinator and was responsible for scouting and opponent analysis.

While at RU, Phipps helped develop a program that won four conference championships, two regional championships and made three trips to the NCAA tournament. The Hawks compiled a 70-25-10 record while Phipps was on the staff and reached the NCAA Division II men's soccer national semifinal in 2013.

The Hawks were one of Division II men's soccer's elite programs during Phipps' five seasons at RU. RU was a Final Four participant in 2013, reached the National Tournament Regional Final in 2012, were Midwest Regional Champions (2011, 2013), captured Great Lakes Valley Conference  Tournament titles (2012, 2013) and was GLVC champion in 2011 and 2012.

Prior to his stint with the Hawks, he served as the head men's soccer coach and assistant women's soccer coach at Division III Buena Vista University (2007-09). He coached two All-Conference players with the Beavers.

Phipps was the graduate assistant women's soccer coach at Hastings College (2006-07). While at Hastings College, he coached four All-Conference players, recruited a future First Team All-American and helped the team qualify for the Great Plains Athletic Conference Tournament.

He spent the 2005-06 season as the men's and women's assistant soccer coach at Iowa Central Community College. ICCC was a 2005 women's National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Tournament qualifier and finished seventh overall. Phipps coached a pair of National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Americans and eight All-Conference players at ICCC.

Phipps played four collegiate seasons at University of Alabama-Huntsville and Park University (Mo.). He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts from Park University in 1999 and his Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from Hastings College in 2008.

Zack MacDougall

Assistant Coach

Mary Washington

Division 3

Zack MacDougall enters his first season with the Eagles as an assistant coach under head coach Jason Kilby. Prior to coming to UMW, he was an assistant coach at North Carolina Wesleyan College for a season.

In MacDougall's lone season with the Battling Bishops of North Carolina Wesleyan, he helped guide them to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2008. The Bishops finished with an overall record of 15-6, including a regular season and tournament championship. During his time in North Carolina, he helped coach the North Carolina Olympic Development Program.

From 2012-2017, MacDougall earned his first assistant coaching gig with the men's soccer team at Randolph College. In his first season there, he helped the Wildcats reach a national ranking of #18. In 2013, Randolph finished with a 17-2-1 record which was good for a regular season championship as well as ranked #15 nationally. He secured two ODAC tournament finals appearances. MacDougall was a key part in recruiting while at Randolph as he brought in players that earned the accolades of All-Conference, All-Region, and All-American.

While coaching at Randolph, he also coached the Rustburg High School girls soccer team from 2015-2017. MacDougall was named head coach of the year in the conference twicer after leading the school to its first winning season and set the program record for wins in a season.

Zack was a four-year letterman at Randolph College where he was a member of the inaugural men's soccer program in 2007. He made a big impact for the Wildcats as he was a captain for two years, won the coach's award, and was named to numerous All-Tournament teams. MacDougall gained second team All-ODAC and Academic All-Conference honors in 2010 which was the year in which they gained their first ODAC tournament victory. MacDougall holds a Bachelor's Degree in History and a Master's Degree in Secondary Education, both obtained at Randolph College.

Tyler Botte

Head Coach

Molloy

Division 2

Coaching History:

- Molloy College (Head Coach): 2020-Present

- Molloy College (Associate Head Coach: 2019-2020

- Molloy College (Assistant Coach): 2014-2019

- Village of the Branch Soccer Club: Lead Coach: 2014-2020

- Roslyn FC: 2017-18

- North Babylon SC: 2015-2018

Playing History: 

- Hofstra University: 2010-2014

- Long Island Rough Riders (USL 2): 2012-2013, 2015-2019

- Panama City Beach Pirates (USL 2: 2014

- New York Greek Americans Atlas (Cosmopolitan Soccer League) 

- Long Island Express (ASL): 2016

Bill Garno

Head Coach

Rochester Institute of Tech

Division 3

Garno begins his 21st season at the helm of the Rochester Institute of Technology mens soccer team in 2016. In that time, Garno has led the Tigers to three appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament (2000, 2001 and 2004), a spot in the 2011 Liberty League title game and three Empire 8 championships. In 2000 and 2006, Garno earned Empire 8 Coach of the Year honors. Over the past 20 seasons, Garnos teams have compiled a 167-152-34 record (.521). He is one of only two coaches to eclipse the 100-win plateau in RIT mens soccer coaching history, and sits second in wins behind the late Doug May, a member of the RIT Athletics Hall of Fame, whom Garno played for. Under Garnos tutelage, 43 different Tigers earned All-Empire 8 honors from 1999 to 2010. Eight Tigers were named All-Liberty League honors since the Tigers joined the conference in 2011, including Scott Fishel, Gene Sicoli, Raul Silva and Rueben Marquez who were 2015 selections. Garno has coached three different Empire 8 Players of the Year and three Rookies of the Year, along with numerous academic honorees, including Sean Coots who was a 2012 CoSIDA Academic All-Region selection and a NSCAA Academic All-Region honoree. In 2015 Fishel and Luke Dorsey earned CoSIDA Academic All-Region honors. Dorsey was also named the winner of RITs prestigious Ellingson Award for academic excellence. Mike Lawson, who recently had a scholarship named in his honor at RITs National Technical Institute for the Deaf, was a two-time NSCAA Academic All American (2004 & 2005) and a two-time Empire 8 Player of the Year. The Tigers placed eight players on the Liberty League All-Academic squad in 2015. From 1983 to 1986, Garno was a defender for the Tigers, helping RIT to an impeccable 59-8-6 record, four conference titles and four appearances in the NCAA Tournament. After a successful collegiate career at RIT, Garno turned to coaching. Prior to taking over at RIT, he served as an assistant coach at the University of Rochester from 1992 to 1995. Garno is active in the local youth soccer scene, currently coaching for FC Dynamo ROC, and also having coached in the Empire United Soccer Academy, Hilton Heat, and Rochester Junior Rhinos, soccer clubs. He also has served as a head coach for the New York State West Olympic Development Program. A 1988 graduate of RIT, Garno was the Director of the Printing Applications Laboratory in RITs Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies for 21 years before being named the full-time mens soccer coach in Oct., 2012. He lives in Hilton, N.Y., with his wife, Marcey. They have three children, Bailey (23), Ellie (21), and Simon (18), who will begin his first year at RIT in the fall of 2016.  


Bill Garno
Head Coach




Bill Garno begins his 21st season at the helm of the Rochester Institute of Technology mens soccer team in 2016. In that time, Garno has led the Tigers to three appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament (2000, 2001 and 2004), a spot in the 2011 Liberty League title game and three Empire 8 championships. In 2000 and 2006, Garno earned Empire 8 Coach of the Year honors. Over the past 20 seasons, Garnos teams have compiled a 167-152-34 record (.521). He is one of only two coaches to eclipse the 100-win plateau in RIT mens soccer coaching history, and sits second in wins behind the late Doug May, a member of the RIT Athletics Hall of Fame, whom Garno played for. Under Garnos tutelage, 43 different Tigers earned All-Empire 8 honors from 1999 to 2010. Eight Tigers were named All-Liberty League honors since the Tigers joined the conference in 2011, including Scott Fishel, Gene Sicoli, Raul Silva and Rueben Marquez who were 2015 selections. Garno has coached three different Empire 8 Players of the Year and three Rookies of the Year, along with numerous academic honorees, including Sean Coots who was a 2012 CoSIDA Academic All-Region selection and a NSCAA Academic All-Region honoree. In 2015 Fishel and Luke Dorsey earned CoSIDA Academic All-Region honors. Dorsey was also named the winner of RITs prestigious Ellingson Award for academic excellence. Mike Lawson, who recently had a scholarship named in his honor at RITs National Technical Institute for the Deaf, was a two-time NSCAA Academic All American (2004 & 2005) and a two-time Empire 8 Player of the Year. The Tigers placed eight players on the Liberty League All-Academic squad in 2015. From 1983 to 1986, Garno was a defender for the Tigers, helping RIT to an impeccable 59-8-6 record, four conference titles and four appearances in the NCAA Tournament. After a successful collegiate career at RIT, Garno turned to coaching. Prior to taking over at RIT, he served as an assistant coach at the University of Rochester from 1992 to 1995. Garno is active in the local youth soccer scene, currently coaching for FC Dynamo ROC, and also having coached in the Empire United Soccer Academy, Hilton Heat, and Rochester Junior Rhinos, soccer clubs. He also has served as a head coach for the New York State West Olympic Development Program. A 1988 graduate of RIT, Garno was the Director of the Printing Applications Laboratory in RITs Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies for 21 years before being named the full-time mens soccer coach in Oct., 2012. He lives in Hilton, N.Y., with his wife, Marcey. They have three children, Bailey (23), Ellie (21), and Simon (18), who will begin his first year at RIT in the fall of 2016.  

Chuck Pitts

Assistant Coach

Western Washington

Division 2

Pitts joined the WWU men's soccer program in March 2023 after one season as an assistant coach with the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps men's soccer program in 2022. Prior to CMS Pitts was an assistant coach at Marymount California University, helping lead the program to the NAIA national tournament.
 
Pitts also has experience coaching at the club and high school levels as an assistant coach with Redondo Union High School, helping the squad to a 2022 CIF Southern Section Championship and a 17-6-2 overall record. He also worked with the JV program at Brentwood School for two seasons (2017-18), helping his squads to back-to-back undefeated seasons and a combined 28-0-2 record.
 
At the club level, Pitts has worked with the Beach Futbol Club in Manhattan Beach from 2020-22, where he planned, organized and facilitated all the day-to-day responsibilities of the B2013 and B2011 youth teams.
 
A former student-athlete at the NCAA Division II level, Pitts was a standout at Humboldt State from 2011-15, leading the Lumberjacks in goals scored during his junior and senior seasons. During his collegiate playing days Pitts was a First Team All-CCAA performer, NSCAA All-Region selection and team captain as a senior.
 
After graduating from Humboldt State with a degree in communication, Pitts played for the Puget Sound Gunners FC of the PDL in 2015, and then for the L.A. Wolves of the UPSL from 2016-18, where he played for former U.S. National Team member Eric Wynalda and led the team in scoring twice. The Wolves earned a 2017 USPL National Championship, as well as capturing the Cal South Amateur State Cup and Regional Cup before placing third at the 2017 National Amateur Cup in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Lewis Tomlinson

Assistant Coach

Indianapolis

Division 2

Current GA at University of Indianapolis Men's Soccer. Played 4 years NAIA soccer as a starter at Holy Cross College, Notre Dame. Spent 8 years playing academy football in England prior to coming to America. 

Jovin Grewal

Assistant Coach

McKendree

Division 2

McKendree University

Facundo Cisterna

Saint Thomas (FL)

NAIA

Coach Facundo Cisterna St. Thomas University / Bold Nation

Coach Facundo Cisterna is part of the coaching staff at St. Thomas University, a nationally competitive NAIA program, and also works as an Athletic Operations Specialist and coach with Bold Nation for both the UPSL team and youth academy.

He holds a Masters degree in Sport and Fitness Administration from St. Thomas University and a Bachelors in Physical Education from Argentina. Facundo has coached across multiple levels, including youth development, academy teams, and PSG Academy.

He specializes in technical improvement, game understanding, and building strong training habits. His coaching style focuses on discipline, confidence, and helping players reach their highest potential through a positive and competitive environment.

Jose Alvarado

Assistant Coach

Lubbock Christian

Division 2

Assistant Coach at Lubbock Christian University (2022-) Goalie Coach

Head Coach at FC Dallas WTX Lubbock (2022-) Coach the FC Dallas WTX 05 Girls NPL


Houston Dynamo Dash Youth Academy Director (2018- 2022) Lead a group of 17 coaches and 300 players. Focus on collecting payments, creating year-long calendars, managing our budget, organizing youth and ID camp

Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School Soccer Coach (2019-2022) Won the TAPPS Division 1 State Championship in 2021. Focus on player development, promoting players to colleges, creating workout plans, and game and referee schedules. 

Liverpool FC America- Youth Academy Director (2015-2018) Lead a group of 10 coaches and 90 players weekly. Focus on making schedules, creating curriculum, and booking fields and referees. 
Texas Strikers/ Oxford City of Texas- Professional Arena Soccer Player(2014-2015) I was a part of Beaumont first professional soccer team. Here we were asked to train two times a day and travel for games once a week. I was a part of the team that played in the MASL semifinals with oxford city of texas.

Mykell Bates

Head Coach

Santa Clara

Division 1

I was a volunteer coach for a year before moving to an assistant role here at Santa Clara University.



Prior to working with Santa Clara University, I coached (and still) coach at Mountain View Los Altos Soccer Club (MVLASC) located in the bay area for 5 years.  I also coached U17s for Silicon Valley Soccer Academy (SVSA) located in Redwood City, Ca in 2017/2018. 



Prior to coaching I was drafted by Toronto FC in 2012 in the second round.  I was fortunate enough to play all four years at Santa Clara University from 2008-2011.  I was selected All West Coast Conference First team for both 2010 and 2011 season. 



I was fortunate enough to captain the U-17 US Men's National Team in the 2007 U17 Fifa World Cup held in South Korea. 



I have a bachelor's in Marketing from Santa Clara University in 2012 and a Masters in Kinesiology (Exercise Physiology) from San Jose State University in 2015.

Max Fowler

Assistant Coach

Allegheny College (PA)

Division 3

Max Fowler was tabbed Allegheny College's assistant men's soccer coach prior to the 2022 fall season.

Fowler joins the Gators with a long history of success at all levels of soccer. In 2017, he founded the Athletic Club of Sloan's Lake, an adult soccer club in the Sloan's Lake neighborhood of Lakewood, Colorado. In his role as director, Fowler oversaw all aspects of the club, including all business and marketing functions, in addition to competitive and match day operations. Sloan's Lake has competed in the Colorado Premier League, the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL), the U.S. Open Cup, and U.S. Amateur Cup.

An Ohio native, Fowler also spent time in the Centennial State as a coach for the Colorado Rapids Academy from 2011-13. He was the head coach for the U18 and U12 boys' teams. From 2013-15, he assisted the Division III women's team at Johnson and Wales University in Denver.

Fowler began coaching at the high school level. He was named the youngest head coach in school history at both the Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School in Chardon, Ohio, in 1997, and at Kenston High School in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, in 1999. While at Kenston, he earned league Coach of the Year accolades.

As a student-athlete in the mid-90s, Fowler suited up for Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio. As a non-traditional student in 2011, Fowler graduated from the Metropolitan State University of Denver with an arts degree. He also possesses a National B License from the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).

Mark Zathey

Head Coach

Madonna

NAIA

Zathey is starting his second stint as a head coach at Madonna after leading the Crusader women's team from 2001-05. "I am very pleased that we were able to get such a great coach and even better person in Mark," commented athletic director Bryan Rizzo after introducing Zathey to the team. "His roots with Madonna soccer date back to the inception of the program and he has remained a strong supporter of both the men's and women's teams through the years. I'm excited for the future of the program." During Zathey's tenure with the Crusader women, his squads won five straight Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) championships and advanced to the NAIA National Championship in 2005. A three-time selection as WHAC Coach of the Year (2002, '04, '05), 21, all five of Zathey's teams were ranked in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll at some point during the season with 2005 team ending the season at number eight. Zathey is the leader in career wins with 71, posting a 71-21-12 mark in his five seasons for a .740 winning percentage. "I am excited about this opportunity," said Zathey after his introduction to the team. "This step in my coaching journey is one that is a very emotional one. Madonna was very much a second home for me from '94-'05 when I was a student-athlete, and later a coach. Both soccer programs have a rich history. I look forward to the opportunity to serve the men's program and hope to continue to build upon the shoulders of the previous players and coaches who gave so much to the game." A member of the first ever Madonna University men's soccer team in 1994 and a two-time team captain, Zathey is a 2000 graduate of Madonna with a degree in history and a certificate in secondary education. Zathey continued his academic pursuits, earning a master's degree in sports administration from Wayne State in 2006. Zathey also served as an adjunct instructor at MU in 2004. Zathey has served as the technical director for the Michigan Rush as well as the director of the boy's Michigan State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA) Olympic Development Program (ODP) since 2006 and has been a staff instructor for the MSYSA Coaching Education program since 2002. Prior to his time with the Rush, Zathey was the director of coaching for the Northville (Mich.) Soccer Association from 2001-06. Zathey holds both a United States Soccer Federation "A" License as well as a National Youth License. He earned the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Premier Diploma in 2012. Zathey also served on the staff of the Michigan Bucks PDL team from 2010-2016. Zathey earn the USSF Grassroots Instructor License in 2018. The 2017 team finished in the National Tournament in the Round of 16. The 2018 team finished at the National Tournament in the Final Four. The 2019 team finished at the National Tournament in the Round of 16. 

Ali Simmons

Associate Head Coach

Elon

Division 1

Elon Associate Head Coach 

Frankie Sanfilippo

Assistant Coach

San Diego

Division 1

Assistant Mens Soccer Coach at the University of San Diego

14 year professional career

Zach Watson

Assistant Coach

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Division 1

Helping Cal Poly achieve an historic defensive effort during his first season as a member of Oige Kennedys staff in 2024, Zach Watson serves as the programs assistant coach and goalkeeper trainer.
 
On the way to claiming the programs first Big West title in 2024, Cal Poly set new team records for fewest goals conceded (13, six of which were penalties) and fewest goals per game (0.68) while matching the mark for fewest defeats (four) and producing nine shutouts.
 
With Nicky McCune named 2024 Big West Goalkeeper of the Year, Cal Polys defense conceded multiple goals just twice in 19 outings. Registering a nine-match unbeaten run midway through the 2024 season, Cal Poly lost just once in its final 15 games.
 
Watson arrived at Cal Poly after serving as the lead assistant coach at Division II Newberry (S.C.) College for the past three years. Heading the teams development efforts, Watson also coached the programs reserve side, directing Newberrys second squad to the 2021 South Atlantic League title. With Watson on the bench, eight total Wolves earned All-SAC first team selection.
 
Zach is a valuable addition to our program and complements the very diligent and extremely dedicated staff that we have at Cal Poly, third-year Cal Poly head coach Oige Kennedy said. He brings extensive experience in collegiate soccer from his Division I playing days and as a coach at the Division II and III levels.
 
His expertise in the goalkeeper position has undoubtedly improved our keepers and in the short period hes been working with them, we can already see a positive impact. Were fortunate to have such a highly rated young coach come and join us here in San Luis Obispo. With his strong work ethic and clear dedication to his profession, were excited to see his continued growth with our program.
 
Watson a native of Bridgewater, Mass. spent the two years prior to his time at Newberry as an assistant coach with Division III Curry College (Milton, Mass.). While at Curry, Watson worked primarily with the program's goalkeepers, who led the Commonwealth Coast Conference in total saves during the 2019 season.
 
Concurrently, Watson served as an academy staff coach with Major League Soccers New England Revolution and coached youth teams with Steel United.
 
With the Revolution, Watson ran goalkeeper programs with partnered clubs and town programs and oversaw the development of youth boys and girls goalkeepers between the U-8 and U-18 levels. He also worked alongside the academy goalkeeper director in the regional development school program to create and execute foundational-level goalkeeper training sessions.
 
Watson played collegiately at Division I Sacred Heart (Fairfield, Conn.) from 2014-17, graduating with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. He then played one graduate season at Division II Coker (Hartsville, S.C.), earning his masters degree in college athletics administration in 2019.
 
Watson currently holds his UEFA B License, USSF C License, a USC Advanced National Diploma and a Level 1 goalkeeper diploma. Hes also a Regional level referee and has worked numerous high level competitions including the U.S Open Cup and MLS and USL preseason matches.

[Skip Ad](https://gopoly.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/coaches/zach-watson/1276#)

Brendan Ujvary

Assistant Coach

Hamilton

Division 3

Ujvary is in his second year as an assistant coach for the Hamilton College men's soccer program. He was an assistant with the Utica College men's team in 2013 and 2014.
Ujvary helped guide the Pioneers to a pair of Empire 8 playoff appearances, including the program's first trip to the championship game in 2013. Utica players received eight all-conference team honors and one Empire 8 rookie of the year award during his time at the school. Ujvary recently obtained his National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) National Diploma.
Prior to Utica, Ujvary coached youth soccer from the Hudson Valley to Long Island. His time spent with Coerver Soccer Coaching and the Long Island Rough Riders ages U10 to U13 was a great experience.
Ujvary played college soccer at SUNY New Paltz. The defender appeared in 53 games with 41 starts over the course of three seasons. As a senior, he helped lead the Hawks to the SUNYAC quarterfinals in 2011. Ujvary was a member of the Dean's List all four years, made the NSCAA all-academic team and represented the soccer program on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Ujvary graduated with a degree in adolescent education with a specialization in social studies and a geography minor. He also has a master's degree in special education from Utica. He is from Kings Park, N.Y., and played soccer at Kings Park High School.

Joey O'Keefe

Head Coach

Biola

Division 2

Throughout O'Keefe's career as the Biola men's soccer head coach, he has instructed one United Soccer Coaches Association Scholar All-American, three United Soccer Coaches Association All-West Region players, three D2CCA All-West Region selections, one PacWest Defender of the Year, one PacWest Newcomer of the Year, one PacWest Freshman of the Year, eight All-PacWest selections, one PacWest Player of the Week, and 20 Academic All-PacWest players. 

2021 was a special year for O'Keefe and the Eagles as they paved the way for future soccer generations with a historic 2021 season. O'Keefe led the men's soccer team to their highest conference placement since 2015 (third place) and first ever NCAA West Regional where they played one match against Cal Poly Pomona.

O'Keefe's program was showered with well-deserved awards for an epic 2021 season. He received three of the PacWest's four major individual awards, including Defender of the Year (Izaac Zausch), Newcomer of the Year (Theo Le Calve), and Freshman of the Year (Adam Jones). He proceeded to bring in eight all-conference selections, three all-region picks, one First Team All-American, and 20 Academic All-PacWest players. 

Biola received All-Region nods from two publications and one All-American achievement under O'Keefe's lead in the 2021 campaign. The D2CCA and the United Soccer Coaches Association recognized Zausch as First Team All-Region. The United Soccer Coaches later named Zausch a Scholar All-American. Le Calv and Lawarence Kwazema were highlighted separately as Second Team All-Region picks from both associations.

Prior to returning to Biola, O'Keefe spent two seasons at Westcliff, helping the Warriors to a 19-6-4 combined overall record. O'Keefe was instrumental for the Warriors, coaching the inaugural men's and women's soccer teams in 2019. The pair of teams found immediate success with O'Keefe at the helm, holding a combined .863 winning percentage.

O'Keefe returns to the Eagles after playing four seasons for Biola during his collegiate career. O'Keefe earned three All-GSAC awards, a GSAC Player of the Year award, as well as a NAIA First Team All-American award as a student-athlete at Biola. 

In his playing career, O'Keefe played in the PDL for three seasons before signing a contract to play professionally in Salzburg, Austria. Since returning back to the States, O'Keefe has worked with the LA Galaxy traveling internationally to scout talent to bring back to the Galaxy 2 USL squad.

O'Keefe also made an impact for the soccer program at Pacifica Christian High School. As the team's head coach, O'Keefe earned a trio of coach of the year awards from 2017-2020.

He has this to say about rejoining Biola Athletics:
"I graciously accept the stewardship role that I have been given and I intend on developing generations of quality student-athletes that Biola can be proud of. The opportunity to pour back into the young men of this program is a dream come true for me. I am committed to the growth of these young men; spiritually, academically and athletically."

Kyle Schauls

Head Coach

Illinois Wesleyan

Division 3

Schauls, a former goalkeeper at Division III Wartburg College and assistant coach at Division I Western Michigan, was named the mens head soccer coach at Illinois Wesleyan University on July 7, 2014.

In his two seasons his teams have compiled an overall record of 13-21-2 (.389) with a mark of 3-11-0 (.214) in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin.
In his first season at IWU, Schauls's team was 7-12 with six games against teams that qualified for the NCAA Division III tournament.

In 2013 Schauls was an assistant coach at the University of Rochester with a team that finished 15-3-2, went 10-0-1 at home, won the University Athletic Association championship and lost 1-0 to Montclair State in the round of 16 of the NCAA Division III tournament.

From 2010 to 2012 Schauls was an assistant at Western Michigan, where teams were a combined 27-26-7 and were regular contenders at the top of the Mid-American Conference. The WMU 2012 team posted an 11-6-2 record, spent 12 straight weeks in the top 10 of the NSCAA Great Lakes Regional rankings, and received votes for the national top 25 for three weeks during the season.

Schauls worked closely with the Bronco goalkeeping unit, which posted a .91 GAA on the season, the Broncos lowest mark since 1989. His other responsibilities included overseeing the areas of compliance, recruiting, travel, academics, equipment, video analysis, camps, community outreach, and scouting.

In 2011, WMU made its second straight appearance in the Mid-American Conference championship game as the Broncos ousted defending national champion Akron in the semifinals. WMU also posted a signature regular-season win over in-state rival Michigan, beating the Wolverines for the first time ever in Ann Arbor.

Schauls previous coaching experience includes four seasons (2007-10) as the varsity assistant at West High School in Waterloo, Iowa, where he participated in all phases of coaching and specialized in goalkeeper instruction and training. West High produced an all-conference goalkeeper in both 2008 and 2009, and Schauls was a member of the 2009 Mississippi Valley Conference Coaching Staff of the Year. He has also coached at the No. 1 Soccer Camps in Fulton, Mo., and Kenosha, Wis. Additionally, he founded the Cedar Valley Goalkeeper Camp for youth goalies in Waterloo, Iowa.

At Wartburg, Schauls was a goalkeeper and a member of three consecutive NCAA Division III Tournament qualifying teams. He was also an Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Academic All-Conference selection in his senior season.

Schauls earned a bachelors degree in physical education from Wartburg in 2010 and a masters degree in sport management from Western Michigan in 2012. He has earned both the National Coaching Diploma and National Goalkeeping Diploma from the NSCAA.