Kris Bertsch - Men's Soccer Coach - University of Louisville Athletic

Kris Bertsch

Title:
Assistant Coach

Kris Bertsch is in his first season as an assistant coach with the Louisville men's soccer program after previously serving as associate head coach at Xavier University.

Bertsch spent the previous five seasons on the Musketeers coaching staff, including three as associate head coach, and has twice been named as one of the top 15 Division I men's soccer assistant coaches in the nation. He was an integral part of the emergence of the Xavier program, which won 61 matches during his tenure and made four NCAA Championship appearances during that span highlighted by advancing to the round of 16 in 2014.

Part of the 2014 Big East Coaching Staff of the Year at Xavier, Bertsch helped guide Xavier to five straight 10-plus win seasons. During Bertsch's time with Musketeers men's soccer, several school records were set, including goals against average, shutouts, goals allowed, winning percentage, and wins in a single season. In addition, the Musketeers made appearances in several national polls, including their first NSCAA Top 25 ranking and Top 10 rankings in 2012 and 2014.

The 2012 team began the season with the second-longest winning streak in the nation and ended the year with 14 wins, making it one of the best seasons in Xavier history. In 2013, Xavier fell one point shy of winning the Big East Championship in the school's first year in the conference. The 2014 team broke the school record for wins (15) and reached the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 for the first time in school history.

Individually, Xavier players have achieved success under Bertsch's guidance. Three Musketeers have signed contracts with MLS teams since 2013. Forward Luke Spencer was a top 25 draft pick in the 2013 MLS Draft, and defender Nick Hagglund was picked in the top 10 of the 2014 MLS Draft. Additionally, Matt Walker signed a contract with the Columbus Crew in 2014.

Off the field, Xavier men's soccer has excelled under Bertsch as well, earning the highest team grade-point average for a private school in Division I, and the third highest overall.

Prior to joining the Xavier staff in 2009, Bertsch was an assistant coach at Syracuse University where he was involved in several facets of the program, including recruiting, scouting, budget, travel and game day operations and promotions. He also organized and directed training sessions and tactical planning throughout the season and oversaw video breakdown of Syracuse's opponents.

Prior to his stint at Syracuse, Bertsch served as the director of soccer operations at the University of Connecticut for four seasons. While at UConn, Bertsch directed and arranged recruiting visits, team travel arrangements, marketing, team promotions and group ticket sales for the top drawing college soccer program in the country.

While at UConn, Bertsch was part of a staff that captured four NCAA Tournament berths advancing to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2005 and 2008 in addition to reaching the Elite Eight in 2007. The Huskies also earned two Big East Regular Season and Tournament titles in both 2005 and 2007.

Bertsch earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from American University in 2003. He was a four-year starting midfielder at American and twice led the Eagles to the NCAA Division I Tournament with American reaching the Sweet 16 in 2001 before falling to eventual national champion North Carolina in overtime. Bertsch was also honored as an All-Patriot League performer and earned a spot on the Patriot League All-Academic Team.

Bertsch was a two-time US Soccer National Champion with FC Delco and was recognized with the Golden Boot Award, which goes to the national championship's top scorer. FC Delco, the nation's No. 1 Youth Soccer Club, elected him to its hall of fame in 2004. Additionally, Bertsch was a member of the US Olympic Region I and New Jersey State Teams.

A native of Clinton, N.J., Bertsch played prep soccer at The Pingry School where he finished as the career scoring leader and is a member of the school's athletic Hall of Fame. He is married to Julie Bertsch and he holds a USSF `A' License.