Bio

Ante Cop was named the women’s head soccer coach on December 1, 2024.

Prior to CCSJ, Cop was the women’s head soccer coach at Marian University Ancilla College in 2024. 

Before that, Cop was the women’s head soccer coach and athletic director for fundraising/adjunct faculty at Governors State University from 2019-23. As the first head coach of the women’s soccer program, Cop implemented specific positional training and techniques to understand the players abilities. His methods helped two Jaguars earn CCAC Rookie of the Year honors and one receiving the Academic Athlete of the Year award. 

His role as an athletic director allowed him to supervise academic progress of student-athletes and arrange help for those with academic shortcomings.

Cop is also the co-owner and executive director of Jake Stars Football Club. This soccer club is a pillar in the Northwest Indiana community, helping offer boys and girls from as young as age eight to seniors in high school a more affordable option to play in front of college coaches. It allows young, student athletes to be coached by experienced coaches while participating in the Northern Illinois Soccer League and National Premier Leagues.

Prior to owning a club, Cop had his first collegiate coaching opportunity in 2005 with Dominican University. He was the associate men’s head soccer coach, helping lead the program to a 17-1-2 record.

From 2007-14, Cop was the associate men’s head soccer coach of Robert Morris University Illinois. He also was the Walter Payton College Prep girls head soccer coach from 2012-14, helping the program win 72 percent of its games, with a 34-8-5 record.

The Chicago native has earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Southern New Hampshire University in 2013. He later obtained a master’s degree in sports management from SNHU in 2015. 

Cop is CPR and Concussion Test Certified and holds a USSF B National License, a USASA National License and HNS A License. He also has a USCoA Premier Diploma as well as a USCoA Director of Coaching Diploma.