Ali Hanif is in his second season at Cal State Bakersfield heading into Fall of 2023. After serving the team as an assistant coach during the 2022 season, Hanif was named Interim Head Coach on May 11, 2023.
An experienced coach, Hanif comes to 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.
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 from 2018-2021. 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. He also spent time on staff with Tony Dicicco, SoccerPlus Goalkeeping school from 2014-2018.
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 (2012-18) before coming to the US.
Hanif holds his UEFA B Goalkeeping License, United Soccer Coaches Advanced National Goalkeeping License, U.S. Soccer Federation C License, UEFA C License, English FA and Scottish FA Goalkeeping Licenses.
A native of Manchester, England, Hanif attended Manchester Metropolitan University and earned a bachelor's degree in Coaching and Sports Development in 2015.
He resides in Bakersfield with his wife Jamie and their two dogs, Nynette and Mr. Poe.
