Hometown: Whitehouse, Ohio
Alma Mater: University of Bridgeport
Nick P. Smith was announced as Head Women's Soccer Coach at Concordia University, Nebraska in March of 2023. He made the transiton after previously serving at an NAIA school within his home state.
In just his second season, Smith led the Bulldogs to a historic achievement as the 2024 team won at the national tournament (2-0 over Benedictine College) for the first time in program history. Concordia concluded '24 at 14-7-1 overall (8-3 GPAC) and as the GPAC regular season and tournament runner up. Kierstynn Garner, Niah Kirchner and Taylor Slaymaker were each named First Team All-GPAC honorees. In year one leading the Bulldogs, Smith helped the program vault from seventh in the GPAC in 2022 to second in the final regular season standings in 2023. Concordia finished '23 at 13-4-3 overall while leaning on GPAC Defensive Player of the Year Grace Soenksen and four fellow First Team All-GPAC selections. Offensively, Kierstynn Garner piled up 19 goals.
Originally from Whitehouse, Ohio, Nick Smith possesses extensive experience at the college and club levels. Smith had served Lourdes University since the summer of 2019 as an assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s soccer programs. In his one season with the women’s program, Smith helped the Gray Wolves break a school record for wins in a season and claim a victory at the conference tournament for the first time ever. In his assistant role, Smith involved himself in all aspects of the program, including training sessions, tactical breakdowns, recruiting, academic mentoring and lineup selections. The men’s program also broke its school record for wins in a season with Smith’s aid.
While simultaneously coaching college soccer, Smith lent his expertise as Associate Head Coach of Toledo Villa FC (2019-2023) and Director of Coaching/Staff Coach at Pacesetter Soccer Club (2021-2023). He assisted in the Pacesetter Soccer Club winning its first national championship. His experience also includes time spent as Head Coach of the Royal Oak FC (2020-2021) and collegiate stops at NCAA Division II Chaminade University (2016-2018) as Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach and University of Bridgeport (2012-13) as a graduate assistant.
As a collegiate student-athlete, Smith played at both Chaminade and Bridgeport and was a team captain for both programs. He went on to play in the USL League Two for the Indiana Invaders.
Smith owns Coaching/Scouting Licenses from the English FA and USSF and previously lent his knowledge as a soccer color commentator for Buckeye Cable Sport Network. In his professional career, Smith has also used his law degree as a practicing attorney.
Smith is a 2011 graduate of the University of Bridgeport with a degree in International Political Economy and Diplomacy. He earned a Juris Doctor degree in 2016 from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 2016. Nick and his wife Marcy have two daughters, Ellis and Andi, and a German Shepard named Achilles.
Bulldogs Under Coach Smith
2023: 13-4-3 Overall, 8-1-3 GPAC
2024: 14-7-1 Overall, 8-3 GPAC | NAIA National Tournament Second Round
Total: 27-11-4 Overall, 16-4-3 GPAC (2 years)
Hometown: Toledo, Ohio
Alma Mater: Tiffin University
Kim Nagel joined the Concordia Women’s Soccer coaching staff beginning with the 2023-24 academic year. She made the move to coaching following a collegiate playing career at the NCAA Division II and NAIA levels. Over her two seasons with the program, the Bulldogs have gone a combined 27-11-4 with a national tournament appearance in 2024.
Nagel competed as a student-athlete for four seasons at NCAA D-II Tiffin University (Ohio) and appeared in 54 games while making 27 starts. She tallied two goals and seven assists. Nagel earned a conference defensive player of the week award in 2020 and ranked in the top five of the conference for assists in 2021. She also garnered All-Ohio Academic Team accolades. She was also honored with Tiffin University’s James C. Todd Academic Excellence award in the field of law enforcement. Nagel then played her fifth (‘COVID’ season) at NAIA member Lourdes University (Ohio) and appeared in all 18 games with 16 starts. She was named the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year.
The Toledo, Ohio, native spent one year coaching the Pacesetter Soccer Club in her hometown. Nagel earned her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice (focused in law enforcement) from Tiffin. She is pursuing her Master’s in Business Administration from Concordia. Kim is the daughter of Ken and Gail Nagel.
Hometown: Algoma, Wis.
Alma Mater: William Penn University
Haakon Utesch joined the Concordia University soccer coaching staffs beginning with the 2024-25 academic year. As a graduate assistant, Utesch serves as the goalkeeper coach for both programs. In his first season with the Bulldogs, goalkeepers Angela Banks and Nolan Fuelberth were both named Second Team All-GPAC honorees and both soccer programs played in GPAC tournament championship games.
The Algoma, Wis., native immersed himself within the coaching profession prior to arriving at Concordia. Utesch coached within the Women’s Premier League, the Midwest Premier League (men’s semi-professional), the National Premier Soccer League and the Major Arena Soccer League 2.
As a collegiate player, Utesch helped Iowa Western Community College to a National Junior College Athletic Association national championship in 2021. He played on four separate national tournament qualifying teams as part of his career at both Iowa Western and NAIA William Penn University. Utesch aided in William Penn reaching the national round of 16 for the first time in program history.
Utesch earned his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from William Penn. He is pursuing his MBA from Concordia. Haakon is the son of Lynn and Nancy Utesch. He has four siblings: Russ, Joe, Addie and Sam.
Hometown: Southampton, England
Alma Mater: Concordia University, Nebraska
Nick Holmes completed his 12th season as an assistant men’s soccer coach at Concordia University in 2024. He has also served two separate stints as an assistant for the women's soccer program. Holmes was as an assistant for the men's GPAC tournament championship teams of 2015 and 2022 and for squads that recorded conference tournament runner-up finishes in 2016, 2017 and 2024. The 2017 team shattered the program record for wins in a season while the 2023 squad went undefeated in the regular season and reached as high as No. 18 in the NAIA coaches' poll. Holmes then helped the '24 women's team to a national tournament appearance.
Holmes has also lent his expertise to several local organizations, camps and clubs. He worked as a staff coach for the Capital Soccer Association from 2010-13 as well as a staff coach for Sporting Lincoln FC in 2013 and 2014. In addition, he has served as a residential camp staff coach at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for three years (2012-14). Most recently, Holmes has been the head coach for Seward High School boys soccer.
Holmes holds a National Soccer Coaches’ Association of America (NSCAA) National Diploma and NSCAA Goalkeeping Level I and II diplomas.
A former Bulldog athlete, Holmes played for the Concordia Men’s Soccer program in 2005 and 2006. He graduated from Concordia with a bachelor of arts in History and M.S. Family Life.
The native of Southampton, England, resides in Seward with his wife, Jen, and their two sons, Andrew and Samuel.
Hometown: Lincoln, Neb.
Alma Mater: Concordia University, Nebraska
Grace Soenksen immediately took on an assistant coaching role for Concordia Women’s Soccer following a distinguished five-year playing career with the Bulldogs. Soenksen capped her career by earning 2023 GPAC Defensive Player of the Year accolades. She aided in the 2024 team reaching the national tournament and winning a national tournament game for the first time in program history.
A Lincoln Lutheran High School alum and one of five Soenksen siblings to play soccer at Concordia, Grace enjoyed a collegiate career that ranks amongst the best in the program’s history. She earned five All-GPAC awards, including four first team mentions while starring as a center back. Additional accolades included All-Midlands Nebraska Team selection (four times), College Sports Communicators Academic All-District and NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors. Soenksen appeared in 92 career games as a Bulldog and tallied six goals and six assists. She led the 2020 team to a GPAC tournament championship and contributed to 49 wins over five seasons.
Soenksen earned her degree from Concordia in Conservation Biology (minors in Environmental Studies and Geography). She is the daughter of Phil and Linda Soenksen.