It was only 10 years ago when Jon Coleman was on the field as a player for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s soccer team.

Now, he has become the head coach of the school that he used to play for and loves.

“It’s a good feeling,” Coleman said. “It’s really pleasing to still be part of the university and program that bleeds success. It’s great to stay a part of the black and gold family.”

Coleman was a four-year letter winner from 1993-1996. He started in 63 of the 73 games he played as a midfielder. In 1995, he was named an All-Midwestern Collegiate Conference team selection and also won the coach’s award his senior year as team captain.

“I never expected this,” he said. “I’ve just always put in the hard work.”

Coleman also posted an overall record of 56-22-6 (.702 winning percentage) in four seasons. He won a conference title in 1993 and joined former coach Louis Bennett’s staff after his playing career in 1996, serving as a volunteer assistant until being named full-time assistant prior to the 2003 season.

“There are a lot of similarities to my coaching style and Louis Bennett’s. However, there are also a lot of differences,” Coleman said. “I perceive myself to be a motivating coach and I want to develop close relationships with the players.”

In Coleman’s tenure as assistant coach, the Panthers have posted an overall record of 123-59-14 and have enjoyed unprecedented success.

In 2005, they reached the NCAA Tournament for the fifth consecutive season. In addition, the Panthers have claimed five regular season conference titles and the last four Horizon League Tournament titles. The Panthers have advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament the past three seasons.

“Training rules and expectations will be similar, however, physical demands will be different,” Coleman said. “Lifting and academics will be very important. How we prepare ourselves as individuals will be very important. Sloppiness off the field will carry over to sloppiness on the field. We will be drilling it into the players on how demanding it will be.”

In addition to his UWM coaching resume, Coleman also spent time in the high school ranks where, in his second season as coach in 2001, he lead the Milwaukee Pius XI High School girl’s soccer team to a state championship and captured the Wisconsin High School Girl’s Soccer Coach of the Year award.

Coleman wants to win another championship, this time on the national level.

“Our goals were determined by the players,” he said. “We want to win the regular season Horizon League Conference title and tournament and make the NCAA Tournament. Then advance to the final four and win the National Championship.”

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