Grace Christian University

Grace Christian University Athletics
1011 Aldon St SW Wyoming, MI 49509

NCCAA Michigan Midwest

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Coaches

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Dustin Buchanan

Dustin Buchanan is entering into his 16th season, making him the longest tenured Head Coach of the men's soccer team at Grace. Coach Buchanan, a Wayland Union High School graduate, has been present at Grace Christian University for 20 years, where he graduated with his degree in Human Services. He represented the Tigers on the pitch after transferring playing seasons 2002, 2004, and 2005. During this time he was a two year team captain, and named twice to the NCCAA All-Region Team. He is fourth on the GCU all time scoring list having notched 45 goals in three years. He also holds the single game scoring record scoring 6 goals against Finlandia University in 2005.

Coach Buchanan took over the program in 2007 and has earned the most wins in Grace history with 160 wins. He has been named Regional Coach Of the Year six times (2010, 2015, 2018, 2019,2021, 2022). He has had players recognized 15 times for 1st Team All-American, 7 times 2nd Team All-American, 23 times players have received Academic All-American, 2 Kyle Rote Jr. Award Winners(NCCAA Most Prestegious Award) and 42 times players have been named to All-Region 1st Teams. He has had several former players and coaches go on to coach at high levels of club, high school, collegiate, and professionally. Coach Buchanan has led the Tigers to 4 Regional Championships with National Championship finishes of 5th place, two 4th place, one 3rd place and National Runner Up in 2022 with a 16-4-2 record. Buchanan's teams have also broken almost every single GCU record over the years, including most goals in a season in 2019 with 108, and most assists in a season also in 2019 with 74, single season shutouts with 14 in 2022, goals against average of 0.86 also in 2022. In 2019, Coach Buchanan was inducted into the Grace Christian University Athletics Hall of Fame. His teams have gained national recognition by the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association (NISOA) with the Layton Shoemaker Sportsmanship Award. His teams have twice received this prestigious award for the 2019 and 2022 seasons.

Coach Buchanan and his wife Lindsey, have three children, Liam, Declan, and Brielle, and a dog, Myla.

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Joshua Armstrong

Coach Armstrong is entering his 9th year on the GCU coaching staff. Coach Armstrong was a four year player for Coach Buchanan. He was a 3 time captain , twice All-Region, an All-American and 3 time Team MVP. He also spent time playing semi-professional soccer with the Grand Rapids Wanderers. Josh earned his degree in Business Management from Davenport University and Biblical Studies Degree from Grace Christian University.

Coach Armstrong transitioned from playing for Coach Buchanan to standing alongside him as a coach immediately after playing where he has been an instrumental part of the GCU success. His coaching and influence helped see the Tigers to 4 Regional Championships. Josh, has been nothing short of magnificent coaching keepers but not limited to as he has a major influence in the field as well. His keepers have earned numerous awards including 1 All-American and 5 All-Region 1st Team awards in 8 years. His success has had a direct impact on the GCU teams. Along with his key role on the GCU staff, Coach Armstrong is an assistant coach for United West FC MWPL team.

Coach Armstrong and Coach Josh became brothers in law in 2013 when he married Coach Dustin Buchanan’s younger sister whom he met at Grace Christian University while a student. Coach Armstrong and his wife Caroline have two beautiful children Joshua and Florence.

"We would not have the success we have without Josh as a player and coach. He has been such a massive part of us for 12 years. I was blessed to have him as a player and I am proud to have him as a coach and as family. He is loyal and does so much for this program. It is hard to quantify the everything he brings and does. His work with field players and keepers are a major reason we have accomplished the defensive records we have. He cares about GCU, the players and has a massive amount of soccer knowledge. He is an integral part of our amazing staff and all of Grace is blessed to have him here continuing to serve Grace and the Lord.”-Coach Buchanan

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Sean Wilson

Sean started helping the Grace Tigers soccer staff midway through the 2017 season before being brought on officially for the upcoming fall of 2018. He is now entering his 5th year at GCU. He is a graduate of Grand Valley University with his degree in Finance. He has extensive experience both playing the game and in coaching. Coach Sean went to Fruitport High School where he was a team captain and All-District player under Ken Erny. Coaching at the youth level, Coach Sean’s passion for coaching was obvious and continued from that point to collegiate and professional ranks. His first opportunity came from Ravenna High School where he was given the chance to be an assistant coach for the boys and girls teams. After two seasons as the boys assistant and one as the girls, he took over as the head coach of the girls team for 5 years where he gave the girls team their greatest winning period in school history including finishing 2nd in one of the more competitive conferences for girls soccer in West Michigan. Making the move to the Grace Christian Coaching Staff Coach Sean brought his expertise and abilities which have been a major impact for the Tigers. He also spent time both as a Head Coach and Assistant Coach for Semi-Professional Indoor side Grand Rapids Wanderers team. During his time with GCU he has been a part of 3 Regional Championships and a 2nd Place National Runner Up finish in 2022. He credits his coaching success to the amazing coaches he had growing up including Ken Erny From Fruitport, every staff member at Grace he has worked with and especially his parents Mark and Rebecca Wilson. In addition to his key role on the GCU staff, Coach Sean is the Assistant Coaching Director at SCOR-Meulensteen and Head Coach for United West FC in the MWPL.

“I am incredibly thankful for the relationship I have with Coach Sean. I cannot say enough good things about Sean and the entire Wilson family. They have been positive and impactful to GCU on so many levels. Sean has a passion for soccer, for Grace and the players. Having a staff of coaches that truly care for the players is a must, and Coach Sean is the epitome of caring. He is calculated and incredibly detailed in everything. He has one of the highest levels of knowledge and tactical awareness I have seen with the ability to process and apply it. His impact and contributions to our success continue to be invaluable. Sean is more of a brother than a friend. I truly believe that a head coach is only as good as those he surrounds himself with, he makes us better and another big reason for our success.”-Coach Buchanan

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Pedro Sanchez

Coach Pedro or “Coach Dro” as he’s known around campus is entering his 4th season as a coach on the Grace Men’s Soccer staff. Having been a part of the staff for two Mid-East regional finals & a national tournament appearance in 2019.Through the years Coach Dro has led High School Varsity programs for Kent City HS & Algoma Christian HS. He moved Kent City HS from obscurity to Conference Championships. As well as coaching in youth club soccer for Soccer Club Of Rockford (SCOR) and Director Of Coaching For Cedar Springs Arena Select Soccer (CASSA). Pedro also owns & operates an arena soccer club, Grand Rapids Wanderers that competes in the Major Arena Soccer League.

“Coach Dro is just incredible. He has a number of skill sets that not many people do. His organizational skills are impeccable. He is a leader with a heart for God and for these players as well as the game of soccer. The amount of experience and success he has had is really something especially when you take his age into consideration. It is a pretty safe bet that anything Pedro gets involved with will be a great deal better than before. He is vastly connected in the soccer world. He has been such an amazing addition to our staff over the last 4 years.”-Coach Buchanan

Coaching Licenses: USSF D, Futsal 1, GK 1, High School Diploma & Meulensteen Method 100-400