Coaching Carousel

[Ron Boerger]

Ethan Higgins Hired as Rockford University's Head Men's Soccer Coach

ROCKFORD, Ill. - Rockford University is pleased to announce the hiring of Ethan Higgins as its next head men's soccer coach. Higgins joins the Regents with coaching experience at the NCAA Division III, club and high school levels.

"I am excited to have Ethan on campus and as a member of our department," Director of Athletics Jessica Stanek stated. "His previous D3 coaching and playing experience make him the right fit for this position. His energy, passion and knowledge will be an asset to the men's soccer program, the athletic department and across campus."

"I am delighted to be named the head men's soccer coach at Rockford University," Coach Higgins remarked. "I am very grateful for this opportunity, and would like to thank Jessica Stanek and everyone involved in the hiring process for entrusting me to lead the program forward. Having been a part of multiple winning programs and having a network of experienced mentors gives me the knowledge and confidence that we can take the RU men's soccer program to new heights in the future."

Higgins spent two seasons as a goalkeeper coach at Penn State Harrisburg prior to coming to Rockford. The Lions went a combined 22-9-10, including a 9-1-4 mark in the United East Conference over those two years. Penn State Harrisburg qualified for the United East Conference Tournament twice and advanced to the semifinals, where the Lions fell to the eventual champion each year. Higgins was heavily involved in all facets of the program including: recruiting, training and film sessions, pregame planning, scouting and film breakdown. However, his primary focus was with the goalkeepers, who were selected Second Team All-Conference each year.

Coach Higgins also spent time as an assistant at Millikin University and at both the club and high school levels in Pennsylvania. While at Millikin, Higgins assisted the head coach in running the men's soccer program. Some of his duties included recruiting, creating and implementing team training sessions, running pregame warm-ups, holding player meetings and gameday planning.

Prior to entering the coaching ranks, Higgins played collegiate soccer at Elizabethtown College for three seasons, with his fourth being canceled because of covid. The Blue Jays compiled a 28-18-9 overall record, including an 11-5-5 mark in the Landmark Conference with him on the squad. They qualified for the Landmark Conference Tournament all three years and advanced to the conference tournament championship match twice (2019 and 2022).

Higgins earned his bachelor's degree in Health Science from Elizabethtown College.

[Kuiper]

Manchester hires Olaoluwade Ladapo as Men's Soccer Head Coach

Manchester University Men's Soccer names Olaoluwade "Ola" Ladapo as new head coach.

A proud Manchester alum, Ladapo returns to campus after serving as head coach and physical education teacher at Ben Davis High School. In just two seasons, he led the Giants to their first-ever county championship and sectional title. Under his leadership, six student-athletes earned all-academic honors, and ten went on to compete at the collegiate level.

In addition to his coaching success, Ola is the Director of Operations and Head Trainer at TLP Fitness LLC. Following a standout playing career here at Manchester, he went on to play professionally as a midfielder for FC Reno in the Jamaican National Premier League from 2018–2021.

Coach Ladapo brings a passion for the game and a proven ability to develop team cultures built on high standards and personal growth.