J.J. Wozniak Named New Assistant Men's Soccer Coach

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont men's soccer coach Earle Davidson announced the hiring of J.J. Wozniak as the new assistant coach for the Bruin program on Wednesday afternoon.

"We're very excited to have J.J. here," Davidson said.  "He has a winning track record at a playing level, at a coaching level, and at a director of coaching level.  J.J. brings a lot of experience from working with field players and goalkeepers at a very successful club.  He has been involved in producing some of the best players that we have in America today, so we are definitely ready to have him make his imprint on Belmont soccer."

A graduate of Fresno State, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2000, Wozniak comes to Nashville following nine years of coaching with the California Odyssey Soccer Club.  He had held many responsibilities for the program, and had been the Director of Coaching since 2007.  Wozniak's teams saw much success, as the California Odyssey was one of the original 63 clubs invited into the US Soccer National Development Academy, won five National Championships, and had back to back Development Academy National Finalists in 2009 and 2010.

The former goalkeeper at Fresno State has experience coaching at the college level as well.  Wozniak returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach and goalkeeper coach for the Bulldogs for four seasons, from 2000 to 2003.

Prior to his coaching stint at Fresno State, Wozniak excelled on the field during his senior season in 1996, earning All-WAC and All Far West Region honors, as well as being named the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Conference Player of the Year.  He held a 0.92 goals against average while at Fresno State, helping lead the Bulldogs to a number three national ranking and a victory over number one seeded Washington in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.  They went on to lose in the National Quarterfinals to Creighton.

Prior to transferring to Fresno State, Wozniak played at Saint Louis University from 1992 to 1995, as the Billikins made it to the NCAA Tournament each of his three years in competition. 

After finishing his career at Fresno State, Wozniak went on to play professional soccer for the next five years before settling into the coaching ranks.  He made appearances for a number of teams in the USL, the USISL, and Major League Soccer, including the San Jose Clash and the Los Angeles Galaxy.  Wozniak received USISL Division 3 Goalkeeper of the Year accolades in 1997 and was named USL Division 3 Goalkeeper of the Year in 2001.

Wozniak holds the USSF National B coaching license.