Concordia University Chicago

River Forest, IL 60305

Illinois Midwest

Private Medium Developing team

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Coaches

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Eddie Garza

Eddie Garza was named the head coach of the Concordia University Chicago women's soccer team in January of 2022.

As the head coach of the Cougar women's soccer program, he looks to increase the success of a historic program.

Garza comes to Concordia University Chicago after spending the last five seasons on the Northern Illinois University women’s soccer staff. In 2021 he served as the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator for the Huskies.

During his time at NIU, Garza introduced a possession-based style of soccer. Garza coached over 50 Academic All-MAC honorees while with the Huskies. Garza coached a number of All-Conference players during his tenure at Northern Illinois. One of the biggest highlights while at NIU was helping to guide the Huskies to an overtime victory over Marquette in 2019 which was NIU’s first win over a Big East school in 14 years.

Garza returned to the college ranks at NIU after guiding the Ashford University women’s soccer program to a highly successful campaign in 2015. He led Ashford to a 14-5-1 record and an Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) Tournament Championship, which earned Ashford a spot in the NAIA National Tournament.

During his tenure at Ashford, Garza coached five all-conference honorees along with the A.I.I. Player of the Year (2015), A.I.I. Goalkeeper of the year (2015) and A.I.I. Defender of the year (2015). In addition, Ashford had three United Soccer Coaches Midwest All-Region honorees and a NAIA honorable mentioned All-American (Alicia Tamburro, 2015). Garza was named the 2015 Association of Independent Institutions Coach of the Year.

Prior to taking over the women’s program at Ashford, Garza was an assistant coach for the men’s team at Ashford from 2010 through 2015. During his time with the men’s program, Garza helped guide Ashford to four NAIA national tournament appearances, which included three Round of 16 appearances and a semifinalist finish in 2013.

Before arriving at NIU, Garza had been the Youth Academy Director for the Rockford Raptors Soccer Club, a position he began in early 2016.

Garza has been an active staff coach with Illinois ODP since 2015 and currently holds a National B License from the United States Soccer Federation.

Garza earned his bachelor's degree in sports and recreation management in 2010 and his master's degree in organizational management in 2012 from Ashford University.

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Brad Callahan

Brad Callahan was named head men's soccer coach at Concordia University Chicago in February 2023.

"I am thrilled to be joining the Concordia family. I would like to thank everyone in the athletics staff," Callahan said. "I plan to make Concordia an extremely sought-after destination for college soccer players nationwide based on the amazing experience players will have, the success they will have, and the bright future it will give to them."

Callahan brings years of experience from many levels of soccer to CUC. Most recently he was the Athletic Director at St. Pius X School in Granger, Indiana where he ran all of the athletic programs for the school.

He has also been working as the Director of Coaching for Lancer Select Soccer Club since August 2021. In this role he hired coaches and staff, created club curriculum, and taught coaches, players, and parents by creating instructional videos and other educational resources.

In 2014, Callahan started his own soccer program, Technical Skill Soccer, where he runs camps, clinics, and seasonal programs in Florida and Indiana. This programs has had over 1000 players come through, including some NCAA national champions and professional players. He teaches players on what to expect in collegiate soccer and the recruiting process.

He was previously the Technical Director for GPS Florida West where he worked with every team and player to ensure in depth teaching and placed athletes into top college soccer programs in the country.

Prior to that he was an Assistant Director of Coaching with Florida Fire Juniors where he organized summer trips for the teams to South Bend, Indiana. He managed all boy's and girl's teams from an operational standpoint and mentored the coaches.

Callahan got his first collegiate coaching experience at Bethel University from 2013-2016 as the Head Reserves Men's Soccer Coach and Assistant Varsity Men's Soccer Coach. There he transformed the Reserves program to one that recruited top players, won the Crossroads league, and won the post-season tournament. He was also responsible for recruiting players through clubs, high school

programs, and college recruiting camps.

His first coaching experience was with Junior Irish Soccer Club in South Bend, Indiana where he was the Technical Director. He oversaw all teams to ensure proper growth and created a curriculum for skill development.

Prior to coaching, Callahan played professionally with the Indy Eleven of the USL and semi-professionally with the Southwest Florida Adrenaline.

Callahan played soccer at Flagler College before transferring and finishing his collegiate career at Indiana University where he graduated with a Bachelor's in Exercise Science.