LANSING, Mich. — Josh Oakley has been named Head Coach of Lansing Common FC, which begins play in 2021. Oakley, who is also the Head Coach at Spring Arbor University, brings 23 years of coaching experience to Lansing Common.
“Josh is the perfect coach for what we’re building with Lansing Common,” said club President Eric Walcott. “He has got the experience to help us establish the type of club culture we’re looking for so we can hit the ground running when we kick-off next spring. Josh has connections to soccer in the Greater Lansing area and is a highly regarded coach in Michigan college soccer who will be able to attract talented players to the club.”
“I’m excited to be here in Lansing. I’m excited to re-start [men’s] soccer in this great city,” said Okaley. “We want to put a football club out on the field that will work hard for supporters, and be uncommon in the things we do every day.”
After working as the top assistant coach at Eastern Illinois University from 2000-2002, Oakley became the head coach at Asbury University in Kentucky and served in that role from 2002-2010. Following his time at Asbury, Oakley was hired by Alma College, where he coached from 2010-2018, before being named the men’s coach at Spring Arbor University. Over the course of 18 seasons, Oakley’s college teams have progressed to a total of 9 region and conference finals, winning 5 championships.
Oakley arrives with a connection to Lansing, having lived and coached in the area for more than a decade. For three years, Oakley served as a staff coach for Lansing’s TNT soccer club. His 2005 U18 TNT team played in the Michigan State Cup Final.
Oakley has coached All-American soccer players at every institution he has served. Over a half-dozen of his college and club players have been drafted or signed to play at the next level. They include local standout DeJuan Jones (TNT), who currently plays for the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer, and most recently, Jake Crull (SAU) who plays for Union Omaha in USL League One.
“Josh’s excitement about what we’re building and his passion for soccer in the Lansing area were evident from our first conversation,” said Walcott. “He’s proven his ability to build quality soccer programs and we’re confident he will help us do the same with Lansing Common.”
“In terms of engaging the community, obviously through the game that’s number one, but also there’s other ways,” said Oakley. “We can hopefully pull in local people to work on our staff that have been here their whole lives, and that they want to see soccer, but they want to see soccer as a tool to bring community together.”
Lansing Common FC is a member of the Midwest Premier League and is scheduled to begin play in May of 2021.
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