CINCINNATI, OH --- Former Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 head coach, Alan Koch, has signed on with the FC Cincinnati staff as the Director of Scouting and Analytics and will also serve as an assistant coach.
“We are pleased to have someone with Alan’s resume joining FC Cincinnati” said Jeff Berding, President and General Manager. “We feel his ability to develop young talent and his experience in the areas of scouting, analytics as well as with an MLS youth academy are key to the long-term advancement of the club. His familiarity with the USL and his background as a head coach in our league brings a level of expertise that will help us in continuing to bring professional soccer at the highest level to Cincinnati.”
Koch spent two seasons as the head coach of WFC2, taking the team from eight wins in 2015 to 12 victories this season with a sixth-place finish in the standings. WFC2 won their first-ever playoff match against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, logging a come-from-behind 2-1 decision and then posted a 3-2 win over Oklahoma City Energy FC to advance to the Western Conference final before falling to USL Cup finalists, Swope Park Rangers.
“Alan has experience and success as a coach at various levels,” said Head Coach John Harkes. “I am looking forward to having him join FCC this year as we continue to build towards winning the USL Cup.”
“I appreciate the opportunities given to me by Bob Lenarduzzi, Greg Anderson and the ownership group,” said Koch. “I also want to thank Carl Robinson and his staff for their friendship and sharing their experience and knowledge. I will miss Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the fans and the players, and appreciate all of their support. I am excited about this next challenge in Cincinnati. What occurred in the first season with the club and its supporters has been amazing. There is a great base in place to build on as the club moves forward into 2017 and beyond.”
Koch is originally from Durban, South Africa and matriculated from Westville Boys High School. Prior to joining the Whitecaps he coached at Simon Fraser University (SFU) for seven seasons, compiling a record of 126-21-7 and becoming the quickest coach in program history to reach 100 victories. During his tenure at SFU, his teams won four Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) championships, two Division II regional titles and advanced to the NCAA Division II Final Four twice. He was voted the Conference Coach of the Year six consecutive years and led his team to a NCAA Top 10 ranking every year.
An All-American at SFU, Koch played professionally in the South African first division with Reservoir Hills United. He also signed with Preussen Krefeld in the German fourth division, adding a stint with Limerick FC in Ireland’s first division. Before beginning his professional career, Koch was a member of the South African Olympic Team and captained the South African Schoolboys team.
Koch graduated with his bachelor's degree from SFU in 2000 and completed his master's degree in human resources from Midwestern State University in 2005. Koch and his wife, Amy, and daughter, Aurora, currently reside in North Vancouver, British Columbia.
Koch holds an NSCAA Premier Diploma with distinction, a Canadian "B" license, various South African licenses, a UEFA “B” badge and is currently completing both his UEFA “A” through the Irish Football Association, and the Canadian “A” license.
