First-year Spring Arbor University head men's soccer coach Marco Bernardini has announced the first member of his staff, naming Anil Joseph as assistant coach.
Joseph is no stranger to Spring Arbor. The veteran mentor is not only an SAU alum and former athlete, but also a former head coach of the men's soccer team, directing the program from 1995-2008. During that time, he was named the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Coach of the Year and garnered National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Regional Coach of the Year honors.
Under Joseph's direction, the Cougars were ranked inside the NCCAA top-10 three straight seasons and boasted a 15-win season in 2006 where SAU would advance to the WHAC championship game.
"I am so excited that we have the opportunity to have Coach Joseph return to serve on the Spring Arbor men's soccer coaching staff," said Bernardini. "His background, experience within the college game and sharp football brain will be invaluable to our program, and will have a strong, positive impact on our team's individual and collective development on and off the field. I'm looking forward to working with Coach Joseph this fall and I am so happy that our guys will have the opportunity to be around him on a daily basis!"
Joseph received the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) A License in 2000 and holds a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Advanced National License.
In addition to his years leading the men's soccer program, Joseph also spent four seasons as the head coach of the Cougars' women's golf team from 2012-16. To go along with his coaching experience, Joseph has been a full-time instructor at Spring Arbor for 20 years, and he currently serves as the chair of the Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation.
"I am thrilled Coach Joseph is returning to the sidelines," said SAU Athletic Director Ryan Cottingham. "He possesses a wealth of experience and knowledge and will be a tremendous resource for our players as well as Coach Bernardini and the rest of the staff."
Cottingham added, "Anil is one of the most incredible individuals I have ever had the privilege to work with. Coach Joseph is an 'influencer' who models his faith every day. He truly loves everybody always! Congratulations Coach Bernardini on a phenomenal hire."
Joseph earned his bachelor's degree from Spring Arbor University, a master's degree in Exercise Science from Western Michigan University, and a master's degree in Business Administration from SAU. He and his wife, Kristi, live in Concord, Michigan and have three children, Alyssa – a member of SAU's 2015 women's soccer national championship team –, Brennan, and Carly.
