ROCK ISLAND -- Chad Flanders has been named the ninth head coach of the Augustana men's soccer program, Director of Athletics Mike Zapolski has announced. 

Flanders comes to Augustana with 27 years of coaching experience, having spent the last five seasons at the NCAA DIII level with Aurora University and Concordia University Chicago.

"Chad's extensive coaching contacts and experience in the Chicagoland area and throughout the region will be a valuable asset as he works to build the Augustana men's soccer program," said Zapolski. "Chad has coached and recruited at various levels for more than 25 years, and his recent responsibilities at two NCAA Division III programs have prepared him well for this opportunity."

During his time as an assistant coach with Aurora, Flanders specialized with the development and execution of training sessions and recruiting efforts to identify top talent locally and regionally. The program finished the regular season tied as the first seed for the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) Tournament in 2019 and lost in overtime to the NACC and NCAA Tournament representative. During his tenure, the Spartans program boasted three Academic All-America, five All-Region, five CoSIDA All-America, 24 All-Conference NACC, and two All-Conference NACC Defensive MVPs.

Following his stint with Aurora, he was named the head coach of Concordia-Chicago in June of 2022. In his first season, he saw two student-athletes earned NACC All-Conference honors.

In 2018, Flanders started working with Galaxy Soccer Club in Naperville, Ill. as a staff coach. He remained in this position while concurrently serving in his role with Aurora. In 2021, he was elevated to the Director of Soccer with Galaxy. 

Since 1996, Flanders has been coaching at the college level, beginning as an assistant with Bradley University. He then moved on to the University of Akron for three years before being named the head coach of Central Arkansas, where he remained from 2003-2011. During his time at Central Arkansas, he led the transition of the program from NCAA Division II to Division I and saw five Missouri Valley Conference all-conference selections. In 2011, his team secured the No. 5 seed in the league tournament, the first berth in program history.

Flanders earned his Bachelor's degree in Physical Education from Illinois State before earning a Master's degree from Eastern Illinois. He played four seasons with Illinois State, helping lead the team to an NCAA at-large bid and four appearances in the conference tournament.

"I am excited to work with the Augustana administration, admissions, athletic support staff and the team," said Flanders. "I am looking forward to building pride and excellence in our men's soccer program on and off the field."

Flanders duties with the program will begin immediately.