When I was a little boy, I didn’t care much about what we were doing—so long as I was with my dad, I was happy.
Whether we were kicking a ball around in the backyard, watching a game on TV, or simply driving to practice, I just wanted to be near him.
And, of course, I wanted to be like him.
My dad played soccer at Notre Dame, which to me was the coolest thing in the world.
I looked up to him in every way, so when I was old enough, I picked up a soccer ball and never looked back.
He was my first coach, and in many ways, my greatest teacher.
As a kid, he coached all my teams, and I soaked up every moment.
The game became our shared language, the thread that tied us even closer together.
What started as a simple love for time with my dad turned into something much bigger—an unshakable passion for the beautiful game.
And before I knew it, that passion took me places I never could have imagined.
UNO—A Special Place
After years of playing for my dad’s teams, I joined Omaha Football Club, later renamed Sporting Nebraska.
I played there until I was 18, and those years shaped me in ways I’ll never forget.
By my senior year of high school, I had been named Gatorade Player of the Year twice—the only player in Nebraska history to win it back-to-back.
I played in three straight state finals and won the championship in my last year.
It was a dream high school career, but I knew it was just the beginning.
College soccer was the next step, and as a local kid, UNO was always on my radar.
It was close to home, and I knew it was the right place for me to thrive.
And I did.
My time at UNO was unforgettable, though not always easy.
I played under two different coaches during my five years there, which meant adapting to different styles, expectations, and systems.
But every challenge made me stronger.
I worked my way up, growing as both a player and a person, eventually earning the honor of being team captain for my final two seasons.
I poured everything I had into this program, and in return, it gave me experiences, friendships, and lessons that will stay with me forever.
UNO became more than just my school—it became a part of me.
Chasing The Dream
After college, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the game.
I signed with Union Omaha in the USL League One, playing two seasons as a professional.
It was everything I had worked for, everything I had dreamed of.
But in 2024, I found myself at a crossroads.
I needed a new team, a new opportunity, and I went on a few trials.
But nothing clicked.
While I was sorting out what was next for me in my playing career, I decided to go back home and coach my high school team, pouring into the next generation of players.
And while I loved it, that fire to keep playing hadn’t gone out.
I still believed in the dream.
So, I kept pushing.
I went on trial for a team in Georgia, hoping for a breakthrough.
Instead, I found disappointment.
It didn’t go as planned, and at the time, it stung.
But looking back, I realize now that it happened exactly the way it was supposed to.
Right before I left for Georgia, UNO reached out with an offer—an assistant coaching position.
They told me to chase my dream, to give the trial everything I had.
But if it didn’t work out, the job was mine.
And that’s how my next chapter began.
Giving Back To The Game
Becoming a coach at UNO felt like coming home.
I played here.
I lived this culture.
I know exactly what it means to wear this jersey.
Now, I get to pass that on—to guide young players who are chasing their own dreams, just like I did.
I want to be the coach who helps players see what’s possible.
I want to show them how to push themselves, how to grow, how to believe in their potential.
I’ve walked in their shoes, and I know the work it takes.
But more than anything, I want to be a mentor.
Soccer is about more than just the game.
It’s about character, resilience, and learning how to handle life’s ups and downs.
And if I can help shape young players into not just great athletes, but great people, then I know I’m doing something right.
Building Something Special
UNO is a place that’s always evolving, always growing.
There’s an energy here—a belief that something special is happening.
As a player, I felt it.
As a coach, I want to make sure it never fades.
At UNO, this is more than just a soccer program.
It’s a family.
And that’s what I want our players to feel every day.
I want them to know they’re valued.
That their dreams matter.
That they have a team behind them, pushing them to be their best.
That’s how players reach their full potential—not just through tactics and drills, but through an environment where they can thrive.
All In, Together
My coaching philosophy is simple: I’m here to help our players.
I’m not interested in being the coach who yells just to yell.
I want to teach.
I want to listen.
I want to understand what motivates each player and help them become the best version of themselves.
I had coaches who saw me as just another name on the roster.
I never want our players to feel that way.
I want them to know they can trust me, that I’ll be in their corner—not just on the field, but in life.
This upcoming season, we have big goals.
We want to win games.
We want to take this program to new heights.
We want to compete at the highest level.
But more than that, we want to build something that lasts.
A culture of excellence.
A culture of respect.
A culture that makes people in Omaha excited about soccer.
And I have no doubt that we can do it.
Because this game—it’s given me everything.
It’s taken me places I never imagined.
It’s shaped me, challenged me, and taught me lessons that go far beyond the field.
And now, as a coach at UNO, I get to pass that forward.
I couldn’t ask for a better next chapter.