Four assistant coaches join Central staff
Central College
PELLA— Four new assistant coaches have joined the Central College athletics staff. Greg Walter works with the men’s soccer squad, Mike Furlong is coaching football and baseball, Brent Goodenow is with men’s golf and AJ Baker is with women’s basketball.
Walter spent the past six years as head women’s soccer coach at William Penn and piloted the Statesmen to a conference title and NAIA national tournament berth in 2006. Walter has also served as head coach of the girls’ Olympic development program for the Iowa Soccer Association since 2011. He was head soccer coach at Oskaloosa High School from 2009-12, leading the girls’ team for three years and the boys’ team in 2012. Previously Walter served as head men’s and women’s soccer coach at his alma mater, MacMurray College (Ill.). He guided the women from 2000-05 and the men from 2005-06.
Walter is a member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and holds a USSF National ‘D’ License, NSCAA National Coaching Diploma, NSCAA Advanced Regional Diploma and NSCAA Goalkeeper State and National Diploma. Walter also volunteers as the director of coaches for the Mahaska County Soccer Club and coaches a U12 club team.
Furlong, a recent Central graduate, was a two-sport standout in football and baseball. He was a four-year letterwinner and two-time all-Iowa Conference wide receiver and return specialist for the Dutch football team. Furlong’s 1,180 career kick return yards rank third on Central’s all-time list. He’s also fourth in career kick returns (51) and sixth in average kick return yards (23.1) and punt returns (53).
A Davenport, Iowa native, Furlong was also a four-time baseball letterwinner. He was a three-time first-team all-league shortstop and received second-team recognition in 2010. Furlong was also a third-team ABCA/Rawlings all-region selection and team MVP. As a senior, Furlong helped the Dutch capture their first outright conference title in 64 years. Furlong holds 12 school records, including career marks for hits (226), games started (159), runs scored (174), stolen bases (55) and assists (439).
Also a 2012 graduate, Goodenow was an all-conference men’s golf honoree as a senior. He placed fifth at the league tournament as Central captured its 30th conference title and 31st NCAA tourney berth. Goodenow was a two-time team co-captain and four-year letterwinner. He participated in two national championships, helping the Dutch finish 23rd in 2010 and 25th in 2012. Goodenow was also a Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar.
Baker was a four-year letterwinner for women’s basketball team. The 2012 Central grad was a three-time co-captain and received team MVP distinction in 2010-11. Baker, a Grinnell native, was a three-time academic all-conference selection.
