COACHING STAFF

Head Coach Greg Maas

Greg Maas is the first-ever head coach in men's soccer at Utah Valley University.

Most recently and prominently, Maas has served as the Technical Director for the Utah Youth Soccer Association (UYSA) and as head coach of the Real Salt Lake Utah U-17 team. He brings with him a thorough understanding of all levels of competitive soccer and a deep insight into the development and cultivation of amateur players and student-athletes.

Maas has held tremendous influence within the sphere of Utah state soccer for more than a decade in his capacity as Technical Director for the UYSA -- the governing body for youth soccer within the state of Utah.

Since filling the position in 2001, he has helped to develop and implement playing opportunities to youth players of all ages and ability levels, seeing the number of registered members rise from 25,000 to 45,000 participants during his tenure. He is also responsible for directing the Olympic Development Program -- Utah's premier soccer program which highlights some of the most talented and ambitious players in Utah and U.S. Youth Soccer Region IV.

For the last five summers as the RSL U-17 head coach, not to mention his previous decade-long tenure as the Region IV Olympic Development Program Staff and Age Group Coach, Maas has had a steady hand in the development of some of Utah's top amateur players. His 2008 U-17 squad claimed the MLS U-17 Cup Championship while his 2009 and 2010 teams finished in third and second place, respectively.

Maas has also held instructor positions with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (National Goalkeeper Staff Instructor), the United States Soccer Federation (National Staff Instructor) and with United States Youth Soccer (National Staff Instructor).

Maas holds a U.S. Soccer `A' License, U.S. Soccer National Goalkeeper License, U.S. National Youth License, and the NSCAA International Premier Diploma.

Prior to his move to Utah, Maas kicked off his coaching career in his home state of Oregon. There, he served as the Director of Coaching for the Lake Oswego Soccer Club for over six years.

A 1988 graduate of the University of Portland, Maas was a two-sport athlete. Under legendary soccer coach Clive Charles, Maas was a four-year, standout goalkeeper for the Pilots. But his athletic endeavors extended from the soccer pitch to the pitching mound where he also threw for the Portland baseball team.

Maas made history at his alma mater when he became the first goalkeeper out of the University of Portland to sign a professional contract. He went on to enjoy a five-year, pro career with FC Portland of the Western Soccer Alliance and the Portland Timbers of the American Professional Soccer League.

Maas presently resides in Sandy, Utah, with his wife Angie and two sons, Cody and Zach.

UVU men's soccer will begin play in the fall of 2014 and will compete alongside all other Wolverine sports, with the exception of wrestling (Western Wrestling Conference) and softball (West Coast Conference), in the WAC. As the only Division I men's soccer program in the state of Utah, UVU hopes to fill a void in the state's burgeoning soccer community and provide scholarship opportunities to potential student-athletes.

Associate Head Coach Matt Ellinger

Head coach Greg Maas named Matt Ellinger Associate Head Coach of Wolverine men's soccer on May 8, 2013.

Ellinger comes to UVU from the University of Utah where he was the head coach of the men's soccer club team. During his tenure, the Utes were regional finalists during both the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

Local fans might already be acquainted with the Ellinger name when it comes to soccer in the state of Utah. Matt's father, John Ellinger, was the first head coach of Real Salt Lake, piloting the organization through its initial years in Major League Soccer.

The younger Ellinger also spent significant time with RSL. He held stints as the Creative Services Manager as well as the head coach of the U16 and U17 teams, helping to establish RSL's youth development programs in Arizona and Florida.

From there, Ellinger accepted an assistant coaching position at the University of Central Arkansas, an NCAA Division I member that competes in the Missouri Valley Conference. While there, he spearheaded the Bears' recruiting efforts through his strong ties to the state of Utah. The current UCA roster features four student-athletes from the Beehive State.

After two seasons with the Bears, Ellinger returned to Utah to take on his most recent role with the Utes. He has also held positions with the Arkansas Rush and Sparta United, two nationally recognized, youth soccer clubs. Ellinger holds his U.S. Soccer 'A' License.

"Coach Ellinger is a very motivated and knowledgeable coach who will bring a wealth of experience to the program," Maas said. "It's evident he is passionate about coaching, and he will be a tremendous mentor to our players both on and off of the field. He's very connected throughout the U.S. Soccer community, and he's excited to take a major role in our player identification and development process. UVU men's soccer is very fortunate to have Coach Ellinger on its staff."

Ellinger played collegiately for two seasons at Winthrop University before transferring to Flagler College in St. Augustine, Fla. There, he completed his bachelor's degree in graphic design and marketing.

Ellinger presently resides in Draper, Utah, with his wife Lori and two children, Avery and Alice.