University of Akron

Akron, OH 44325

Ohio Midwest

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Coaches

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Jen Simonetti

Jennifer Simonetti is in her second season on the Zips' sidelines in 2023 after being named head coach of The University of Akron (UA) women's soccer program in July 2022.

A year ago, led by Ella Hadley, who was tabbed a Second-Team All-Mid-American Conference selection, and Emma King, who was named to the All-MAC Freshman squad, the Zips finished the campaign building towards a successful 2023 campaign. Additionally, 10 Zips garnered Academic All-MAC accolades.

Simonetti arrived at Akron after three successful campaigns at Case Western Reserve University where she led the Spartans to a 30-7-3 mark since being named head coach in 2019.

During the 2021 campaign, Simonetti guided the Spartans to a 16-2-2 record en route to being named by D3Soccer.com as its 2021 National Coach Staff of the Year, while being honored as the United Soccer Coaches Division III Region VII Coaching Staff of the Year.

Simonetti led one of the biggest turnarounds in Division III, leading the Spartans to 30 victories and NCAA Tournament appearances in each of her two full campaigns, including setting or equaling the program record for wins each season. Case Western Reserve had one previous NCAA Tournament berth in program history prior to Simonetti's arrival in 2019.

In 2021, CWRU reached the Round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament, the furthest a Spartan women's soccer team has ever advanced. The Spartans' 16 wins set a new program-best en route to finishing second in the conference, their highest finish in program history. In addition, Case Western Reserve ended the year ranked 10th in the nation according to the United Soccer Coaches poll.

In her first year as the Spartans' head coach in 2019, the Spartans advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament for just the second time in program history. The Spartans finished the season with a record of 13-5-1, including an 11-0-1 record in non-conference play. The 13 victories tied a program record for wins in a season with the 2011 squad.

Simonetti brings with her extensive experience as a collegiate coach to the Akron women's soccer program, with stints serving as the Head Coach at both Eastern Oregon University (NAIA) and Marietta College, and making multiple stops as an assistant coach, including the University of Massachusetts Lowell (Division I), and Division III programs in Oberlin College, Westfield State University, Chatham University, and Marietta College.

A standout defender at the University of Dayton, Simonetti earned a spot on the NSCAA All-America Third Team as a senior in 2004. She also claimed the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year award as a senior and was a two-time all-conference first team selection during her time with the program. Simonetti was also a starting defender for the Cincinnati Ladyhawks of the W-League while in college. Simonetti graduated from Dayton with a bachelor's degree in Pre-Physical Therapy and Exercise Science, has her USSF 'C' License, and has received multiple United Soccer Coaches Diplomas, including her Director of Coaching, and State and Regional Goalkeeping

She resides in Fairlawn, Ohio with her husband, Mark, and their three children, Sydney, Charlotte and Jackson.

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Maggie Kuhn

Maggie Kuhn is in her second season on the Zips’ coaching staff in 2023 after spending three seasons as the head coach of Lock Haven University.

In 2021, Kuhn led the Bald Eagles into her second full season at LHU. The Haven ended with a 5-12-1 overall record. Following the season, freshman Hunter McClellan was named to the 2021 All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Second Team.

In her first season (2019) at the helm in Lock Haven, Kuhn led the Bald Eagles to 4-11-2 record in what could be seen as a rebuilding year for the program.

Under the leadership of Kuhn, All-American Marah Foltz ended her career on another high note as she was named to the All-PSAC Second team. Goalkeeper Karly Trillhaase had a stout year under Kuhn as she made 86 saves on the year marking a career high and ranking her eighth best in the PSAC.

Kuhn brings with her to Akron 14 years of college coaching experience including seven seasons as a head coach.

Kuhn came to LHU by way of Point Park University, where she has served as the head coach of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) program for the last seven seasons. Since taking over the program in 2012, she has led the program to unparalleled success.

At Point Park, she led the program to nearly 70 total wins, a 37-12-3 conference record and her teams qualified for the conference tournament during every season. The team won 11 games last season in 2018 on the way to a regular season conference title. The 11 wins served as the second most wins in school history. Kuhn’s 2015 team won a single-season school record 12 games.

Under Kuhn’s guidance, Point Park won back-to-back conference titles in 2015 and 2016, and the Pioneers qualified for the NAIA national tournament in each of those two seasons.

Kuhn also brings with her extensive club and camp coaching experience and has been involved in the Olympic Development Program in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. She also served as an assistant coach with the Steel City F.C., a women’s soccer team that plays in the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL).

Kuhn, who holds her “E” license from the United States Soccer Federation, is working toward her “D” license, and she also holds an advanced regional certificate and a state goalkeeping certificate from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

As a player at Bethany College, Kuhn was a four-year starter at goalkeeper. In 2004, she earned the Player’s Choice Award, was named the Team MVP and she earned a spot on the President’s Athletic Conference First Team. In 2012, she was inducted into the Bethany College Alumni Soccer Association Star of Honor society.

A native of Western Pennsylvania, Kuhn graduated from Bethany College in 2004 with a degree in psychology and she earned a master’s from Bethany in 2012.

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Josh Kay

Josh Kay is in his second season on the Zips’ coaching staff in 2023 after spending two seasons at Case Western Reserve University under Head Coach Jen Simonetti.

Kay, who joined the Case Western Reserve staff in the spring of 2020, helped guide the Spartans to new heights in 2021 when the coaching staff received D3Soccer.com Division III National Coaching Staff of the Year, United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division III Region VII Coaching Staff of the Year, and UAA Coaching Staff of the Year honors. The Spartans qualified for the NCAA Division III Championship and reached the round of 16 for the first time in program history.

Prior to Case Western Reserve, Kay had gained extensive experience coaching at different levels including: recreation, travel, club, high school, college club, and ODP.

A native of Akron, Ohio, Kay graduated from the University of Akron in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in sport management and coaching education.

Currently, Kay serves as a coach for the Internationals Soccer Club and holds the USSF National "C" Coaching License.

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Jared Embick

Jared Embick, who had previously served as the Zips’ associate head coach and recruiting coordinator, officially became the seventh head coach in the history of The University of Akron men’s soccer program in December of 2012.

The 2023 campaign marks his 11th year leading the Zips having registered a 124-54-25 (.672) ledger after earning the program's 20th regular season Mid-American Conference title in 2019.

During Embick’s time at Akron, the Zips have posted the highest winning percentage in the nation with an overall record of 234-67-41 (.744), including a 70-13-10 (.806) mark in league play, while securing 11 conference tournament titles, 14 trips to the NCAA Tournament and three appearances in the College Cup final.

Akron’s 124 victories since Embick took the helm of the Zips’ program in 2013 rank seventh among all men’s soccer programs in Division I.

The Zips have qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 19 of the last 22 campaigns, including 12 straight from 2007-2018.

During his 10 years as head coach at Akron, the Zips have earned 10 All-America citations, 29 all-region awards, 65 All-MAC selections, four academic All-America award winners, a pair of MAC Player and Newcomer of the Year awards, 64 academic All-MAC recipients and 20 MAC Distinguished Scholars.

Due in large part to recruiting efforts of Embick and his staff, Akron identified and secured some of the best prospects in the country – and around the world – with top-five recruiting classes. The Zips’ classes of 2015, 2012 and 2009 were ranked No. 1 in the country, while the classes of 2016, 2011 and 2010 each received a No. 2 designation. Akron’s 2023 class was tabbed No. 6 nationally.

More importantly, Akron’s recruits have flourished in the Zips’ system, which features a style of play that is attractive and attack-oriented, yet effective on both sides of the ball. In total, Embick recruited or helped develop 48 players who have gone on to play professionally either in MLS or overseas since 2007.

Since 2008, Akron leads the country with eight players selected among the top-five selections in the MLS SuperDraft. The Zips also boast the highest total of players chosen among the top-10 draftees over the same span with 12.

A 2000 graduate of Indiana Wesleyan, Embick was named an All-American by the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) in 1998 and 1999 as a player. He was also an NAIA honorable mention All-America honoree in 1999 and was twice named to the All-Mid-Central Conference squad.

Embick and his wife Jamie reside in Copley with their son Jack.

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Ger Coppinger

Ger Coppinger is entering his ninth season on the Zips’ staff in 2023, and second as associate head coach, after spending four seasons on the Missouri State coaching staff where he was tasked with the training of the Bears’ goalkeepers, while also assisting on the recruiting front.

Coppinger, who was elevated to the Zips' top assistant coach in 2019, handles the training of goalkeepers, assists with scouting and recruiting at Akron.

During Coppinger’s time at Akron, the Zips have posted the an overall record of 94-44-22 (.656), including a 26-11-9 (.663) mark in conference play, while securing six trips to the NCAA Tournament, four conference tournament titles and three appearances in the College Cup.

Fourteen Akron players have been selected in the MLS SuperDraft during Coppinger’s tenure, including four players chosen in the first round. That list includes; Joao Moutinho (No. 1 - 2018), Jonathan Lewis (No. 3 - 2017), Richie Laryea (No. 7 - 2016) and David Egbo (No. 9 – 2021).

During his time training Akron goalkeepers, the Zips have posted 60 shutouts, while recording a 1.25 goals against average. In postseason play, Akron has recorded eight clean sheets en route to advancing to College Cups in 2015, 2017 and 2018.

Coppinger helped mentor Jake Fenlason and Ben Lundt to Second-Team All-MAC accolades in 2015 and 2018, respectively. Both players went on to play professionally with Fenlason starring for San Diego Loyal of the United Soccer League and Lundt with St Louis City SC of the MLS.

Fenlason started all 24 games for the Zips in 2015 registering nine shutouts, 105 saves and 1.16 goals against average and surrendered a goal or less in 15 games. In NCAA Tournament play, he posted a 0.92 goals against average, including holding eventual national champion Stanford without a goal in a 0-0 double-overtime draw in the national semifinals.

Lundt started all 22 games in which he played in this past season registering 71 saves and posted a 1.11 goals against average. He was named the Defensive Most Valuable Player at the College Cup and finished the campaign recording 14 victories on the strength of collecting seven shutouts.

Missouri State captured back-to-back Missouri Valley Conference titles in 2013 and 2014, respectively.

Coppinger helped mentor Addison Watson to honorable mention All-MVC accolades as Missouri State posted a conference-record 0.15 goals against average in league play, allowing only one goal. Watson recorded nine individual shutouts this season, including five in conference play.

The Bears broke several school records in 2013, including leading the nation in goals against average (eight goals allowed in 18 games) for the first time in program history. The Bears allowed just one goal in conference play and recorded 10 shutouts (including seven consecutive) on the season. Coppinger, along with head coach Jon Leamy and Michael Seabolt, were recognized as the MVC Coaching Staff of the Year after winning the MVC regular-season title.

Another one of his pupils, Trevor Spangenberg, signed with the New England Revolution of the MLS.

Coppinger and the Missouri State coaching staff orchestrated an imposing defensive product in 2012, limiting opponents to 14 goals, tying a single-season school record for fewest goals allowed.

Additionally, sophomore goalkeeper Andrew Riggs and the Bears’ defense recorded six shutouts, while allowing just three multi-goal games in 17 matches.

In his first season at Missouri State, the Bears posted an overall record of 9-8-2 and went 5-1 in the MVC regular season to clinch a share of the regular-season title.

Coppinger came to Missouri State after spending 2010 as the men’s and women’s goalkeeper coach at Missouri Baptist University.

As a player, Coppinger was a goalkeeper on the varsity squad at Missouri Baptist for four seasons, including his freshman campaign under Embick.

A native of Ireland, Coppinger earned a B.S. in physical education from Missouri Baptist in May 2011 and has a teaching license. He also holds a Goalkeeper I & II diploma and National “D” Coaching License from NSCAA.

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Michael Nanchoff

Michael Nanchoff is in his fifth season as an assistant coach on the Zips' staff in 2023 after University of Akron head men's soccer coach Jared Embick named him to his staff as an assistant coach on Feb. 28, 2019.

"Akron has always held a special place in my heart since I was little," said Nanchoff. "I had the opportunity to play my college ball for the Zips winning a national championship in 2010. I now have a greater opportunity as a member of this national power house as an assistant coach."

Nanchoff starred for the Zips from 2007-10, helping elevate the Akron men's soccer program to new heights, including capturing the school's first-ever national title in 2010. The Zips posted a remarkable 77-8-9 (.867) record during his four seasons at Akron, including advancing to the NCAA title match in 2009 and 2010, while winning the Mid-American Conference regular and postseason titles in each of his four campaigns.

Nanchoff was tabbed as the No. 8 overall selection in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft by the Vancouver Whitecaps where he starred for two seasons (2011-12) before playing three campaigns (2013-15) with the Portland Timbers.

While in Portland, he helped the Timbers capture the 2015 MLS Cup under the leadership of his collegiate coach Caleb Porter. Nanchoff capped his playing career starring the last three seasons (2016-18) for the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the United Soccer League.

A two-time First-Team All-MAC performer, Nanchoff played in 62 games for the Zips, including 38 starts, and registered 16 career goals and 22 assists on the strength of recording 116 shots. He crafted a dynamic senior campaign in 2010 notching 10 goals and adding nine assists en route to be tabbed an All-College Cup selection.

A native of Cleveland, Nanchoff earned a bachelor's degree in sport sciences from Akron in 2011 and maintains a National "B" Coaching License.