Eastern Kentucky University Athletics

Zach Hanson was hired as an assistant coach for the Eastern Kentucky University soccer program in July of 2022.

Hanson came to EKU from Virginia Military Institute (VMI), where he spent the 2021 season as an assistant coach.
 
Under Hanson's guidance, VMI scored 21 goals in 2021, a major improvement over previous seasons. The Keydets scored 10 goals in 2020, and only five goals in 2019.
 
"I'm thrilled to have Zach join our EKU Soccer family," Cosinuke said. "Zach is a talented and driven coach with a gift for communication and teaching. We expect him to make a big impact on our program and look forward to him getting started." 
 
Hanson also mentored Riley Flanagan in his one season at VMI. Flanagan scored eight goals and recorded five assists as a freshman in 2021. She was voted to the SoCon All-Freshman Team and earned SoCon Offensive Player of the Week honors last season (both program firsts).
 
Hanson assisted with all aspects of running a Division-I soccer program at VMI, including recruiting, travel arrangements, session planning, and compliance.
 
The native of Alma, Michigan led all training sessions for attacking functional groups, and also handled all opponent scouts and film sessions at VMI.
 
"I'm so excited to be joining the EKU Soccer family," Hanson said. "From my conversation with Matt about the position, I could feel the buzz and excitement around the program. Everyone I've met during the process shares the same passion and vision.  It's an energy that's contagious, and I'm so excited to bring my family to Richmond to be a part of it!"
 
Hanson brings vast experience in the club and high school soccer scenes to Richmond.
 
While at VMI, he worked for Skyline Elite Soccer Club, based in Charlottesville, Virginia. He served as a Girls Academy staff coach and the head coach of the CCL PRO23 Men's and Women's teams.
 
Hanson oversaw all aspects of the PRO23 teams, including recruiting current and incoming college players, planning and executing training sessions, assisting with scheduling, and leading all matchday operations with the team.
 
Prior to his work with VMI and Skyline Elite SC, Hanson spent one year with Fredericksburg Soccer Club in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where he managed teams at multiple age groups on both the boys and girls sides of the club. He led all aspects of running the club's five annual tournaments, which involved marketing and promotions, selecting teams, scheduling and managing vendors.
 
From 2018 to 2020, Hanson served as a staff coach for the Midland Fusion Soccer Club in Midland, Michigan. Hanson led all aspects of the teams, including organizing and executing training sessions, coaching games, managing players and parents, and scheduling games and practices.
 
During this time, Hanson also served as the head varsity boys soccer coach at Mt. Pleasant High School in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. He implemented a culture change that included off-season commitments, dress codes and standards for on-field behavior. He also oversaw the junior varsity program and worked with the local club to develop players for high school competition.
 
His coaching certifications include USSF C, D, and E licenses, a United Soccer Coaches (USC) Advanced National, Goalkeeper 1 and Director of Coaching diplomas.
 
Hanson received his bachelor of arts degree in entertainment, sports and promotions management from Northwood University in 2019.