Kobylinski named Central women’s soccer coach
Central College
PELLA—Former Central College standout Mike Kobylinski is the school’s new women’s soccer coach.
Kobylinski, a 2003 Central grad, served as executive director and director of coaching for the Little Illini Soccer Club in Champaign, Ill. since 2005. He also served as assistant women’s soccer coach at Parkland College (Ill.) this past season.
In 2005 Kobylinski was the co-head coach for the New Castle (Ind.) High School boys soccer team that went 13-4-2 and in the previous two seasons was as an assistant men’s soccer coach at Eastern Illinois University, which competes in the Missouri Valley Conference. He received a master’s degree there in 2004.
Also an experienced camp instructor and clinician, Kobylinski helped send numerous club players on to successful college careers.
“We are excited that Mike will return to Central College to lead our women’s soccer program,” athletics director Al Dorenkamp said. “He has prepared himself in the past several years to take over the leadership of a women’s soccer program that is in position to move forward to much higher competitive levels. He has had college coaching experience and has done a tremendous job of leading and growing a club program in the Champaign. His experience in developing and training soccer coaches as well as his work with a wide range of athletes makes him a good fit for our program.
“We have always loved Mike’s enthusiasm and passion for soccer. He understands what Central College is all about.”
A Kalamazoo, Mich. native who played club soccer for Kalamazoo TKO, Kobylinski is a member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and holds a USSF National D License, NSCAA National Youth Diploma, the NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma, and the NSCAA Premier Diploma.
Kobylinski replaces Colin Kuchy, who resigned following three seasons as head coach. A young Central squad was 2-13-1 last fall with a 2-5-1 Iowa Conference mark. The Dutch had just one senior on the squad.
“I’m really excited when I look at our young roster,” Kobylinski said. “I want to try to teach our players the principles that were taught to me at Central and to help them be successful.”
Kobylinski is confident the Dutch program can again become a winner.
“We just need consistency and commitment,” he said. “We need consistency from the players in their work rate in practice as well as from the coaching staff. Once consistency and commitment are in place, then confidence becomes a byproduct of that. We need to develop that positive attitude as we push forward.”
But Kobylinski has goals for his players beyond winning.
“First and foremost, I want them to obtain a degree,” he said. “I also want them to feel a sense of pride in playing for Central. I want the players to develop that. I want them to have a passion for Central women’s soccer. And I want them to have a passion for soccer in general. I would love for the players to take the principles they learned on/off the field with them as they become coaches themselves, or become leaders in whatever field they choose.”
At Central, Kobylinski was a four-time all-Iowa Conference honoree, earning first-team distinction in 2002. He was Central’s MVP in 2000 and 2002 and became the program’s first NSCAA All-West Region pick when he was a second-team choice in 2002.
Kobylinski won many supporters during his time as a club coach in Illinois, including Janet Rayfeld, head women’s soccer coach at the nearby University of Illinois and former U19 and U16 women’s national team assistantt coach.
“Mike has been a significant part of the soccer community in Champaign-Urbana and will be missed on the field and in the community,” she said. “I believe that Mike is ready to take on this new challenge and will make an impact on the Central program and the Pella soccer community.”
“Mike will do an excellent job as the head women’s soccer coach at Central,” said Christian Michner, head women’s soccer coach at the College of Charleston (S.C.). “His dynamic personality and his ability to get the best out of each player every day will no doubt make Central College a perennial power in the Iowa Conference. The players absolutely love playing for him and I know he’s the right person to take that program to a higher level.”
Kobylinski begins his duties at Central April 1.
