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Ali Hanif

Women's Soccer

Ali Hanif Joins Roadrunner Soccer as Assistant Coach

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – CSU Bakersfield announced the appointment of Ali Hanif as an assistant coach to the women's soccer team, replacing Kate McArthur. Hanif recently served as assistant coach at Illinois State specializing in working with Goalkeepers.

Ali Hanif will join assistant coach Jodi Grant and head coach Sebastian Vecchio on the touch line this upcoming season.

"I was extremely pleased with the number and quality of applicants that showed interest in the position," Vecchio said when asked about the hiring search. "We were meticulous and specific in what we wanted our next coach to be, and we found the perfect person in Ali."

"I am excited to have Ali and his wife Jamie join the CSUB family," said Vecchio. "Ali will focus, not only on coaching the team and the goalkeepers, but also will lead our recruiting efforts. He is a tireless worker with tremendous knowledge of the game and goalkeeping."

An experienced coach, Hanif comes to CSU Bakersfield with a career spanning England and the United States over the last 15 years. He has coached professionally with Manchester United FC, at the NCAA Division I and NAIA level, and in the Elite Clubs National League since 2008.

"I'm extremely excited to be joining the Roadrunner family," said Ali Hanif on his appointment. "Ever since my first conversation with Coach Sebastian, it felt as the right next step in my career! The opportunity to make an impact on the program and the vision of Coach Sebastian and interim Athletics Director Cindy Goodmon was too good to turn down."

"I'm excited to bring my energy and coaching approach to Bakersfield," added Hanif, "and help the program in every way that I can!"

Hanif came to Illinois State after spending a pair of seasons at MidAmerica Nazarene as an assistant coach overseeing the goalkeepers. Ali helped MNU reach the Heart of America Conference tournament in both seasons. The Pioneers won 14 matches in Hanif's first season making an NAIA Tournament appearance – the second trip in program history.

Additionally, Hanif has served as the director of goalkeeping at Kansas City Athletics SC (ECNL) and the Kansas ODP as a goalkeeper coach for the past three seasons. Ali helped numerous goalkeepers make college commitments over the years, throughout the country.

In 2017, Hanif joined the WPSL staff at GSI/KC Athletics Pride for two seasons working with numerous goalkeepers who now play the trade in the NWSL and abroad.

Hanif began his coaching career in 2008 on staff with Manchester United FC, working with various areas of the club. He held assistant and head coaching positions at Loreto College (Manchester, England) with the men's program (2012-17) before coming to the US.

"Ali's passion for the game is contagious," added Vecchio, "and his love for coaching the person, student, and athlete will help us move this program where we want it to be – succeeding in the classroom and on the field."

Hanif holds his USSF C License, UEFA C License, English FA and Scottish FA Goalkeeping Licenses, and is on course to complete his UEFA B Goalkeeping License this summer.

A native of Manchester, England, Hanif attended Manchester Metropolitan University and earned a bachelor's degree in Coaching and Sports Development in 2015.

He will be joined in Bakersfield with his wife Jamie and their two dogs, Nyneete and Mr. Poe.
 
~GoRunners.com~
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