Ryan Haines has been named the new Niles boys soccer coach according to athletic director Jeff Upton.

Haines, who spent the past three years coaching the Dowagiac girls team, takes over for Danny Rodts, who became the Vikings’ coach in 2014 and led Niles to a district finals berth this past season.

Haines has also been a varsity assistant coach at Mt. Pleasant High School in 2009, JV girls soccer coach at Edwardsburg in 2010 and started the boys soccer program at Ypsilanti Arbor Prep where he coached in 2012 through 2014.

He was also the Jr. Irish Soccer Club Premier coach in 2014 and is currently the Michiana Storm Soccer Club Premier coach.

“Ryan brings an enthusiasm for soccer to our coaching staff,” Upton said. “Ryan has shown a desire to continue his coaching education and is always looking to improve his knowledge to make his coaching more effective.
“Ryan has already developed a summer workout program, which will help our athletes compete with our very tough SMAC soccer conference.”

Haines says that the Niles program is on the rise.

“I am taking over a program that has continually gotten better over the past three years,” he said. “Last year they made it to the district final but ended up on the wrong end.  Our goal is to get back there again and bring the title home. We have a fitness and conditioning program set in place for the summer as well as already starting open fields.”

Upton believes Haines is the right coach to keep the Vikings moving forward.

“Niles was a district finalist last year in men’s soccer and we continue to try and build on that success and focus on ways to improve,” he said. “Ryan is the right coach to help improve the performance for Niles soccer.”

Haines is looking forward to the opportunity.

“I’m anxious to get to know these lads throughout the summer and for the season to get started in August,” Haines said. “I strongly believe we have the opportunity to do something special this fall season.”