Murfreesboro Soccer Club has new leadership

Aug 06, 2015 at 11:33 am by bryan


Ivan Jackson, Murfreesboro Soccer Club (MSC) Director of Coaching, has resigned. Effectively immediately, MSC has named current MSC Technical Director Ali Arman and current Technical Director Erich Delfs as acting Co-Directors of Coaching. Technical Director Don Maples will continue in his role leading MSC's Recreational Program. The search for a permanent MSC Director of Coaching will begin immediately, led by a Search Committee named by the MSC Board of Directors.

Jackson worked with MSC as Director of Coaching for the past two years, and has a long career as a professional soccer coach with multiple employers. "I thoroughly enjoyed and am very grateful for the experience of having worked in this community," he said. "My time here was great. I wish all the very best to the players, coaches, volunteers and Board Members." Jackson has no firm future plans at this point.

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"We wish Ivan the very best," said Leanna Wright, MSC Board President. "Ivan was instrumental in helping put our strategic vision of providing the area's best soccer experience for young people into action, helping develop a strong curriculum, building a strong stable of coaches and improving the success of all of our teams. We will continue to build on the strong foundation he's helped create through Ali's and Erich's solid leadership."

Acting Co-Director of Coaching Ali Arman has served as MSC Technical Director for the U8-U12 age groups for the past five years. He also has coached soccer at Riverdale High School since 1998, where his teams there have won seven district championships, five region championships and have made seven state tournament appearances. Arman previously served as Director of Coaching for Stones River Futbol Club from 2010 to 2013, and is currently a coach for Tennessee Soccer. He also has served as a coach for the Olympic Development Program. Arman is a National Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Associate Staff Coach and a NSCAA State Director for Western Tennessee. He holds a NSCAA Premier Diploma, Director of Coaching Diploma and Goalkeeping (GK) Diploma.

"I'm looking forward to serving Murfreesboro Soccer Club in an expanded role and to an even closer working relationship with Erich," Arman said. "Ivan's work has put us in a very strong position, and we are well set to move forward, making even bigger strides as an organization through the fall season. We are committed to the kids and young people of this area."

Acting Co-Director of Coaching Erich Delfs has worked with MSC for the past six years, currently serving as Technical Director for the U13-U18 age group, and formerly as team coach for multiple ages, as well as MSC's GK Coach and Speed, Ability and Quickness (SAQ) Coach. Before moving to Murfreesboro, Delfs served as Director of Coaching for the Holston Valley Futbol Club (HVFC) where he helped establish the newly formed club in the Northeast Tennessee region. Due to the implementation of a new philosophy and curriculum across all age groups, Delfs helped elevate the level of play and opened the door for several of the club's former players to earn collegiate roster spots. While at HVFV, Delfs guided a group of 95 boys to the Region II President's Cup title, going on to finish in the top three in the national tournament. Before that, Delfs developed soccer talent in the northern Virginia region, many of whom went on to garner national recognition. Delfs holds an NSCAA Advanced National Diploma as well as a NSCAA GK Diploma.

"I'm excited about the opportunity to further serve the Club in this leadership role with Ali," Delfs said. "There will be no detours from the path laid down by Ivan. Our policies, procedures, curriculum and leadership throughout the organization are very strong. MSC's kids can expect a great year of soccer."

Wright added that the strong curriculum, strong and cohesive Board of Directors, the well-qualified coaching staff and the strong leadership of Don Maples of MSC's Recreational Program are all part of the long-term strategic vision developed nearly two years ago for the Club.

"We continue to work our plan of providing a comprehensive, well-rounded experience for every MSC player," she said. "We work very hard to make sure all of our recreational and select players have the chance to succeed, both on the soccer field and in their lives, by modeling and teaching the values of optimism, trust, perseverance, focus and commitment articulated in our strategic plan. Ivan helped us lay a firm foundation, and we will continue to build with new leadership."

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