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.

[SierraFD3soccer]

Manchester hires Olaoluwade Ladapo as Men's Soccer Head Coach

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

So, if you follow this team, are you a Man U fan??

[Kuiper]

This is really late for University of Dallas to lose its head coach, especially for a school that only had a grad asst, and not a full-time assistant coach, in recent years.  Maybe last year's grad asst Chase Reynolds will step up, but if not, they will have to hire an interim pretty quickly and from outside the program.

University of Dallas Men's Soccer Head Coach David Hoffman Departs after 22 Seasons

University of Dallas Director of Athletics Jarred Samples announced that longtime men's soccer coach,  David Hoffmann, has accepted a new position outside of collegiate sports, marking the end of an era as the university's winningest coach.

 "We are deeply grateful to Coach David Hoffmann for his more than 20 years of dedicated service to the University of Dallas," said Samples. "His impact on countless soccer players has been immeasurable, shaping not only athletes but young men of character. David has been the consummate professional and a steadfast representative of UDallas Athletics and the University as a whole. We wish him all the best in his next chapter and thank him sincerely for the legacy he leaves behind."

Hoffmann was named head coach of the University of Dallas men's soccer program in 2003 and recently completed his 22nd season at the helm. Over two decades, Hoffmann led the Crusaders to a 161-145-21 record, making him the winningest coach across all sports in university history. Including his previous collegiate head- coaching experience, he has surpassed 200 career victories.
Hoffmann guided the Crusaders to some of their most successful campaigns, NSCAA and/or NCAA Regional or Nationally ranked in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2013,2016, 2017, 2018. highlighted by a 2007 Association of Division III Independents (AD3I) championship during a 17-1-1 season — the best winning percentage in program history (.921). The AD3I National Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2008. In 2008, the team captured the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) title and earned its first NCAA Tournament appearance. The program reached conference finals again in 2009 and 2017, with Hoffmann earning SCAC Coach of the Year honors in 2017. He has notched 20 total All-Americans for the Crusaders as well.

Hoffmann's squads hold school records for wins in a season (17), consecutive home matches without a loss (33 from 2005-2008), most goals in a season (84), and most shutouts in a season (10). His players have garnered a wide array of accolades, including NCAA All-Region, CoSIDA Academic All-American, and All-Conference honors across multiple leagues. Several have gone on to play professionally, with one representing his national team in the Euros and UEFA Champions League.

As I suspected, University of Dallas promoted Chase Reynolds from Graduate Assistant to Head Coach.  Frankly, I'm not sure they had many other options, but Reynolds was only just hired as grad assistant in advance of the 25-26 season (I mistakenly thought he was a grad assistant in 2024, but that wasn't the case).  So, this is a case where a guy interviewed as a graduate assistant and was promoted to head coach before the season began.  Talk about a rapid rise to the top!

Chase Reynolds named Interim Head Men's Soccer Coach at University of Dallas

A familiar face returns to the Crusader sidelines as Chase Reynolds has been named interim head coach for the University of Dallas men's soccer program.

The Southlake, TX native enjoyed a decorated five-season playing career for the Crusaders from 2017 to 2021, taking advantage of the additional year granted due to COVID-19.

During his time in blue and white, Reynolds helped lead UDallas to three SCAC Tournament appearances, including the 2017 squad that reached the SCAC Finals. A three-time Team MVP and four-time All-SCAC selection, he ranks in the program's Top 5 all-time in assists, Top 10 in goals scored, and Top 3 in games played with 75 starts in as many matches.

After earning both his B.A. in Business (2021) and MBA (2023) from UD, Reynolds served as a volunteer assistant at Concordia University during its inaugural SCAC season, helping guide the Tornados to a 9-5-4 record and finishing just one point shy of a playoff berth. Concordia's attack ranked third in the conference in goals scored, with six players earning All-Conference honors and 20 recognized on the SCAC Academic Honor Roll.

Beyond coaching, Reynolds competed in the National Premier Soccer League with the Denton Diablos during their inaugural 2018 season, reaching the Lone Star Conference semifinals. A proud UD alumnus, he also studied abroad in Rome in 2019 and married his wife, Nadia who he met during his time as a Crusader in 2024.