Chad Flanders was named the sixth head coach in CUC Men's Soccer history in June of 2022.
Flanders has a wealth of coaching experience at multiple collegiate levels over his 26-year career. Most recently Flanders has served as the assistant men’s soccer coach at Aurora University. While at Aurora he has also served as the Director of Soccer for Galaxy Soccer Club in Naperville, Illinois. During his four-year stint at Aurora, Flanders has helped guide the Spartans to a NACC title, coached three Academic All-Americans, five all-region players, 24 All-NACC players, and two NACC Defensive Players of the Year.
Prior to his time at Aurora, Flanders served as the Technical Director at Campton United Soccer Club in St. Charles, Illinois from 2012-18. There he led multiple teams to national tournaments, including a 2016 U18 Boys National Premier League Championship.
Flanders's first collegiate head coaching experience came at the University of Central Arkansas, where he led the program from 2003-11. There he led the Bears' transition from NCAA Division II to Division I in 2006. While at Central Arkansas the Bears made two NCAA Tournament appearances (2004, 2005) under Flanders. His program finished with a program-best #7 national ranking in 2004. Additionally at Central Arkansas, Flanders was a two-time Gulf South Conference (GSC) Coach of the Year, coached two GSC Players of the Year, and had a CoSIDA Academic All-American selection.
Flanders's coaching career began in 1996 as an assistant men’s soccer coach at Bradley University. He spent four years there before heading to the University of Akron from 2000-2003. While at Akron, Flanders helped to guide the Zips to two NCAA Tournament Appearances.
Flanders played collegiately at Illinois State University from 1990-94. He graduated from Illinois State in 1994 with a bachelor’s of science in physical education. He then earned his master’s degree from Eastern Illinois University in 1996.
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