VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today the appointment of Alan Koch as Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) head coach prior to the club's inaugural season in USL PRO. Koch has agreed to a multi-year contract that will continue to include his role as the club's college scout. Per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.
"Alan has had great success over the past seven years at SFU," said Whitecaps FC president Bob Lenarduzzi. "We're looking forward to working with him in the next step of his career as we get set for the inaugural season of WFC2."
Koch, 39, spent the last seven years as head coach of the Simon Fraser University (SFU) men's soccer program and is himself an SFU graduate. Koch, with a record of 126W-21L-7D at SFU, became the quickest coach in the school's history to reach the 100-win milestone. For his efforts, the North Vancouver, BC, resident was recognized as the Conference Coach of the Year in six consecutive seasons and guided the Clan to a Top Ten ranking in either the NAIA or NCAA Division II in every season he's been in charge. Other highlights of his tenure at SFU include four Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) championships, two NCAA Division II regional championships, and two berths in the NCAA Division II Final Four.
"This is an amazing opportunity and one that I'm very excited about," added Koch. "I'm grateful to the club for bringing me in, and I'm looking forward to working with Robbo and his technical staff. We share a similar philosophy and vision. I'm ready to hit the ground running."
Last fall, the native of Durban, South Africa, worked closely with the Whitecaps FC first team technical staff as he oversaw the club's college scouting responsibilities. Koch was also with the club in 2009 as Whitecaps FC women's head coach in the USL W-League.
A former central midfielder who had professional spells in South Africa, Germany, and Ireland, Koch began his coaching tenure in 2003 as an assistant at Midwestern State University, where he oversaw the majority of the program's recruiting responsibilities. His efforts led the team to an Elite Eight appearance in 2003 and Final Four appearance in 2006. The Mustangs posted a combined 42W-14L-2D record over Koch's three years with the program.
After a two-year stint as head coach at Baker University with a record of 22W-16L-0D, Koch then returned to SFU in 2008 and had been at the helm of the Clan program ever since.
Koch carries a NSCAA Premier Diploma with distinction, a Canadian "B" license, various South African licenses, a UEFA "B" badge and is currently completing his UEFA "A" through the Irish Football Association.
The club also announced on Friday that longtime Residency assistant coach Steve Meadley will join Koch's staff as WFC2 assistant coach and Residency goalkeeper coach Raegyn Hall will also work with the WFC2 side. Furthermore, Whitecaps FC confirmed that U-16 Residency head coach Rich Fagan has been promoted to U-18 Residency head coach with Niall Thompson continuing his part-time duties as U-18 Residency assistant coach. Carl Valentine will act as interim U-16 Residency head coach.
