Friday, February 12, 2016
by Northwest Nazarene Athletic Communications

NAMPA, Idaho — A new era in Northwest Nazarene soccer dawns as the Crusaders are excited to introduce Joel DeLass as the new head men's soccer coach.

"We are thrilled to have Joel leading our NNU men's soccer program moving forward," NNU Athletic Director Kelli Lindley said.

DeLass, who spent the past four season as the top assistant for Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill., takes over for Coe Michaelson who announced his resignation in December. Michaelson, who led NNU since the sport was re-instated in the summer of 2007, left to take over the Cal Baptist men's soccer program.

"It's hard to put into words how excited I am to be joining the NNU family," DeLass said. "I feel incredibly blessed that Kelli and the rest of the leadership at NNU have given me the opportunity to coach at an institution that not only values success and development on the athletic field, but also strives to help students develop spiritually, academically, and socially."

In his time with the Thunder, DeLass helped guide Wheaton to the NCAA National Tournament in all four seasons on the sideline and to a 72-17-8 overall record.

Prior to coaching at Wheaton he spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Cornerstone (Mich.), and also has head coaching experience, leading the Western Michigan Christian High School soccer team in 2009.

An 2008 graduate of Wheaton, DeLass was a three-time all-conference selection, a team captain and a National Soccer Coaches Association of American First-Team All-American.

The Crusaders' new head man also brings a plethora of professional soccer experience with him as DeLass spent five season playing in the United Soccer League, spending his rookie year with the Charlotte Eagles, then four seasons with the Dayton Dutch Lions.

"Joel is a proven winner both as a coach and player," Lindley said. "We believe he will be able to step in and successfully lead our men's soccer team on the field as well as challenging them academically and spiritually."

DeLass takes over a Crusader program that has made history the past two seasons going a combined 27-10-2, earning rankings in the NCAA Division II Top 25 polls both seasons — reaching a program-best No. 12 this season — advancing to a first-ever NCAA National Tournament in 2014 and scoring a first-ever win at the NCAA tournament, 1-0 over Simon Fraser in the first round.

"Coming in from outside of NNU, I'm really looking forward to engaging with the alumni who have paved the way and set the standards within the program to help get it to where it is today," DeLass said, adding that he is excited to get to know and work with the Crusaders core of returning players.

"They've experienced a lot of success over the last two seasons and I hope to be able to continue and build on that during their remaining time at NNU," the Crusaders newest coach added.

Already focusing on both the near and distant future, DeLass said he will begin "identifying the next group of recruits who will not only push our program to new heights on the field, but will also be leaders in the classroom and campus community."

DeLass will begin his duties as the head men's soccer coach later this month.