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TRAINERS |
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Mike
Wiggins, Boys' Director
In his second career position as a high school head
coach, Wiggins has built the Red Devils program into one of the top
squads in the Midwest with a presence on the national high school soccer
scene. A native of Chicago's western suburbs, Wiggins brings enthusiasm,
a hard-work ethic and passion to Hinsdale. Those characteristics have
helped him claim the 2004 IHSSCA Sectional Coach of the Year award and
the 2004 Illinois High School Soccer Coach of the Year honor.
Those honors have substantial backing. In his six years at Central,
Wiggins has led the Red Devils to a 88-41-12 (.667) record, which
includes three of the top five seasons in the program’s 35-year history.
Wiggins has also guided the Red Devils to a pair of 20 win seasons: 21
in 2004 and 20 in the fall of 2007.
Wiggins became Central’s fourth soccer head coach in the spring of 2001
and inherited a program that had produced an all-time record of
(250-224-75, .524) While compiling an impressive record, Wiggins has
guided the Red Devils to two IHSA “Sweet Sixteen” appearances in 2003 &
2004, the program’s first-ever national rankings in ’04 (NSCAA #3 in the
nation), and its first return trip to the IHSA State Finals in 32 years
– finishing with a 4th Place IHSA State trophy in 2007. Not only have
the Red Devils enjoyed tremendous team success, Wiggins’ coaching has
led to several individual accomplishments among his players. Former Red
Devils in the past six years have achieved 20 IHSSCA All-Sectional
honors, 7 IHSSCA All-State honors, 2 NSCAA All-Midwest honors, and 1
NSCAA All-American.
Wiggins’ arrival in Hinsdale was actually a return, having spent two
years at Central as an assistant in 1992 & 1993. While working at
Hinsdale Middle School as a physical education teacher, “Wiggy” was
named the head coach at Downers South in 1994, and served in the top
spot there until 2001. While working with the rising Mustang program,
Wiggins created what is widely recognized as the top high school soccer
tournament in the country: The Great Midwest Classic. A former player,
the 38-year-old Wiggins competed at Illinois State University before the
Normal, Ill., school dropped the men’s soccer program. In addition to
his NCAA Division I playing experience, Wiggins has been a member of the
Illinois Olympic Development Program coaching staff, while serving two
years as an ODP State Team head coach. His experiences have included
scouting for U.S. Soccer, as well as working as an independent observer
for MLS. He has served as a coach in the Chicago Magic Soccer Club,
recently named by Soccer America as the top club in the nation, and was
inducted into the Magic Hall of Fame in March of 2005. He currently
serves on the Coaching Education Program State Staff for the Illinois
Youth Soccer Association, provides coaching education for the AYSO
Region 210 and currently serves as the Boys Director of Coaching for the
Hawks Soccer Club. He also holds a USSF National “B” license and the
USSF National Youth License.
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