Otterbein University

Otterbein Athletics
1 South Grove Street Westerville, OH 43081

Division 3 Ohio Midwest

Private Small National competitor

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Coaches

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Jason Griffiths

Jason Griffiths begins his second season as head coach of the Otterbein men's soccer program after being hired on January 3, 2017.

Griffiths, 31, emerged from a pool of over 100 applicants and immediately resurrected the Cardinal program later that fall. He guided Otterbein to a 19-3 record, including a 17-match winning streak to go undefeated in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) to claim both the regular-season and tournament titles. It was the program's first OAC trophy since 2003.

Griffiths earned OAC Coach of the Year honors as a result of his stellar inaugural year at the helm, where the Cards won NCAA first and second-round matches on their home field before dropping a Sweet 16 contest in Chicago. The group finished ranked No. 11 in the national poll and saw senior defender Jaden Lunger attract third team All-American honors.

Griffiths joined Otterbein after three-plus years as a Senior Director of Coaching at Classics Eagles Soccer Club in Columbus, where he managed 30 coaches and teams, implemented year-round training sessions for all age groups, coached “elite teams” at regional/national events and spearheaded travel, presentation and summer camp responsibilities. He also served as an assistant coach for Otterbein from 2013-15, specializing in training and recruiting.

A native of Bracknell, England, Griffiths was a two-time all-conference and all-region selection at the University of Kentucky before being chosen by the New England Revolution with the 48th pick in the 2010 Major League Soccer SuperDraft. He played one professional season before suffering a tough injury and retiring.

In addition to his experience at Classics Eagles, Griffiths briefly served as an assistant at Kentucky before moving to Ohio and beginning local stints with Locker Soccer Academy and Individual Fitness Solutions.

“I believe my vision fits perfectly with the university,” Griffiths explained. “We both want to develop the complete person in the classroom and on the playing field. Every player on the team is important to me and everyone will have a big part. Each player is different in terms of ability and personality, but we are all fighting for the same cause… to win championships.”

Griffiths holds a United States Soccer Federation National “B” License along with his NSCAA level two goalkeeping certification. He and his wife, Tara, who served as a graduate assistant for the Otterbein women's program in 2009 and 2010, currently reside in Dublin with their 2-year old son, Blake, and newborn son, Jaxson.

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Dakota Rock

Dakota Rock begins his first season as an assistant coach for the Otterbein men’s soccer program.

Rock comes to Westerville after spending two years as the women’s soccer assistant at Randolph College in Lynchburg, Va. Rock worked with both the goalkeepers and field players during his time, while also playing a role in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes and assisting to coordinate on-campus visits. He also broke down film, compiled itineraries for away matches, constructed game plans and executed training sessions.

Prior to Randolph, Rock worked with three different soccer organizations in a short period of time; Central Virginia United, the top soccer club in the area, along with two years at Greensboro United Soccer Association and then experience with the North Carolina Olympic Development Program. He worked with athletes and coaches and assisted with all facets of the organizations.

Rock attended Guilford College in North Carolina and played two seasons for the Quakers, who compete in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, before graduating in 2015. He also served as the team representative for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

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Tom Greensall

Tom Greensall, a native of Balsall Common in England, begins his first season as a graduate assistant coach for the Otterbein men’s soccer program.

Greensall was a three-year starting goalkeeper for NAIA St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, where he received second team all-conference honors as a junior. Upon completing his undergrad, he moved to Minnesota to play semi-pro soccer for Duluth FC in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL).

His Duluth team won the North Conference championship before eventually falling in the national Last 16 game. Greensall was voted team MVP by the club’s fans, was chosen to the NPSL Northern’s Team of the Year and landed honorable mention status on fiftyfiveone.com’s Team of the Year.

Greensall suffered an injury during his second year and transitioned into a coaching role, helping Duluth finish second in the conference and notch the program’s first-ever playoff victory. He has since gained coaching experience at the club, high school and collegiate levels while also running private goalkeeping sessions and university ID camps. In addition, Greensall served as goalkeeping coach for the Iowa All Stars.

During his time in Minnesota, Greensall has served as head coach of the Hermantown Girls U17 squad, assistant girls coach at Denfeld HS and then goalkeeping coach at College of Saint Scholastica. His lone season saw the Saints break two NCAA records, record the longest conference win streak and win their eight-consecutive regular-season title.