Ante Cop tabbed as CCSJ Women's Head Soccer Coach

Whiting, IN – Calumet College of St. Joseph and Director of Athletics David Lopez announced that Ante Cop has been named the head coach of the CCSJ Women's Soccer Program. 

Cop brings 22 years of soccer coaching experience to CCSJ, having coached at the professional level as well as NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA level. The Chicago native is highly motivated and invested to see the Crimson Wave program return to good standing and said the lure of being close to home in a familiar conference was all the incentive he needed.

"I'm very excited about this job and being able to get back in the CCAC," Cop said. "The job ahead of me is big, but I'm ready and I look forward to help this program get back to respectability." 

Cop's long list of coaching experience began with a professional club in 2003. Throughout his career, he was an assistant women's soccer coach at Ball State University and was the head coach at Dominican University, Robert Morris University Illinois, Walter Payton College Prep, and various indoor and outdoor soccer clubs in the Chicagoland area. 

Most recently, Cop was the women's head soccer coach at Marian University Ancilla College in 2024.

Prior to that, Cop was the women's head soccer coach and athletic director for fundraising/adjunct faculty at Governors State University from 2019-23.

While at the helm at Dominican University and Walter Payton College Prep, Cop helped those soccer teams cement themselves in the record book. At Walter Payton College Prep, the girls' soccer team went 34-8-5 in three years. They were IHSA State quarterfinalists once and Chicago Public League runners-up twice.

In one year at Dominican University, he led the team to a NAC Championship and a NCAA National Tournament appearance. 

With his constant adaptability to new situations, Cop truly understands what it takes to turn a program around. Since becoming the head coach at CCSJ, he says the recruiting trail has been hot since he took over and is searching for what he needs to have a full, competitive roster come fall of 2025.

"The engine of any soccer team is a great midfield," Cop said. "If we can get some playmakers in here that are able to dictate the pace, it'll be huge. … From the recruiting aspect, we are starting with finding some girls that know how to score. Those forwards do need someone to pass them the ball and that's where the midfielders come in."

As the co-owner of Jake Stars Football Club, Cop can observe athletes compete in the sport of soccer on a weekly basis. 

He will not be alone in his search as Shane Cloutier, the newly appointed Crimson Wave men's head soccer coach, plan on working together to recruit and help one another throughout the year at various soccer events to bring in quality players.