Jeff Oleck
Assistant Coach
| Phone | (219) 464-5059 |
Crusader alum Jeff Oleck is entering his fourth season as part of the Valparaiso men's soccer coaching staff, and is in his first year as associate head coach. Oleck assists in all aspects of on-field training and works directly with the Crusader goalkeepers. In addition, he assists with the Crusaders’ recruiting efforts and also works as the academic and compliance coordinator for the athletes.
Oleck helped guide the Crusaders to the Horizon League regular season championship in 2011 as Valpo posted its best defensive season in school history, surrendering just 14 goals in 20 games. Between the pipes, Oleck trained Kyle Zobeck as he set new program single-season records for goals against average and shutouts en route to earning Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year accolades, as well as being named First Team All-Horizon League and NSCAA Third Team All-Midwest Region.
Oleck's three seasons have all been winning seasons, as during his time, the Crusaders have posted three of the top four defensive seasons in program history. He helped train Ryan Schwarz as he earned Goalkeeper of the Year honors from the Horizon League in 2009, while under his tutelage, Zobeck and Schwarz sit 1-2 in program history in career goals against average and shutouts.
Prior to returning to the Crusader pitch, Oleck spent three years as an assistant coach, focusing on working with the goalkeepers, and recruiting coordinator at Wabash College. In his time at Wabash, he helped coach nine All-NCAC selections and shaped the Little Giants defense with his goalkeeping expertise, as the team sliced over half a goal off its goals against average during Oleck’s time there.
Oleck has also gained significant coaching experience outside the collegiate realm. He has previously served as the Senior Program Director of Coaching for Northwest Indiana United F.C., a premier soccer club based out of Chesterton, Ind. He now serves as NWI United's goalkeeper trainer, and is also an assistant coach with the 95 Girl's Midwest Regional League team. He is the Indiana Olympic Development Program (ODP) goalkeeper coach and has worked with various other camps and clinics such as the Indiana Goalkeeper Academy, Indiana Soccer Camp, and Valpo VIP Camp. In addition, Oleck was the head coach for the Dynamo U16 boys squad in 2008 which won the Indiana Soccer League and qualified for the State Cup quarterfinals. He also guided the Dynamo U15 squad to CIYSL and Challenge Cup titles in 2007.
A four-year starter in the net for the Crusaders, Oleck earned Second Team All-Mid-Continent Conference honors in 2005 after a season in which he registered a 1.71 goals against average, then third-lowest in program history, and five shutouts, then second-most in a single season all-time at Valpo. He ended his four-year career with a school-record 14 shutouts and a 2.05 GAA, then second-lowest in program history. He also tallied 345 saves in goal for his career, second-most all-time at Valpo and third in Mid-Con history.
Oleck graduated from Valparaiso in 2006 with a degree in biology, along with a business administration minor. He also earned a master's degree in sports administration from Valparaiso. He holds his NSCAA Advanced National Goalkeeper Diploma and the USSF National “A” License.
