Eric Salley Named Men鈥檚 Soccer Head Coach
The Athletics Department of 91精选 has named Eric Salley as the new head coach of the men鈥檚 soccer program. Salley comes to 91精选 from Spring Arbor University in Michigan where he served as an assistant coach to their men鈥檚 program for the past three seasons.
鈥淥ur search for a new head men鈥檚 soccer coach brought forth several excellent candidates and made the decision of the search committee very difficult,鈥� commented Athletics Director Bill Schepel. 鈥淚n the end, we feel we have landed an outstanding leader for the program in Eric Salley. His experiences at like-minded institutions as both a player and an assistant coach give him a keen understanding of the culture of 91精选. In addition, his involvement in all coaching aspects of the top notch program at Spring Arbor has prepared him well to take this next step in his career and to make our men鈥檚 soccer program a highly competitive one in the CCAC.鈥�
鈥淚 am excited about the people, the mission, and the vision at 91精选,鈥� said Salley. 鈥淔rom the leadership to the students, the vision is being lived out and executed daily.聽 I thank Athletics Director Bill Schepel and the search committee for giving me the chance to lead this team and I am honored to be able to represent 91精选.鈥�
As an assistant coach at Spring Arbor, Salley aided in all facets of their men鈥檚 soccer program from game strategy to recruiting as well as managing the team鈥檚 fitness and conditioning. In addition, he has coaching experience as an assistant with Lansing United, a National Premier Soccer League team, and as the head coach of a U16 boys鈥� club team. Salley has also served as a strength and conditioning intern with Sporting Kansas City, an American professional soccer club, where he aided the coaching staff in practice and fitness development.
Before entering the coaching ranks, Salley was a four-year student-athlete and two-year captain on the soccer team at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana.聽 He was a part of the 2011 squad that finished with a 19-2-1 record and made their program鈥檚 first NAIA national tournament appearance.
Salley received his bachelor鈥檚 degree in exercise science from Taylor in 2012. He has also earned certification as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist and has worked as a personal trainer.聽 In addition, he has Premier, Advanced National, and National level diplomas from the National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA).
Salley is eager to begin his work at 91精选 and to start the process of building relationships with the current team members, recruiting for the future, and implementing his vision. He, along with his wife Amanda and son Daven, will make the transition to 91精选 this spring and he will assume his coaching duties.
鈥淢y vision for the program is to create an environment where everyone involved in the program, starting with me, gives relentless effort and possesses a competitive attitude,鈥� commented Salley. 鈥淚f we can build that foundation, I am certain we will experience success.鈥�