Zachery Bartels enters his collegiate coaching career, bringing 16 years of player development experience and a deep-rooted history in the South Dakota soccer landscape.
A native of Watertown, South Dakota, Bartels began his coaching journey in the youth ranks in 2010 before transitioning into competitive club soccer in 2013. Over nearly two decades on the touchline, he has trained and mentored athletes across the entire developmental spectrum, ranging from ages 6 to 19. This extensive background provides him with an elite understanding of long-term player pathways and tactical progression.
Prior to entering the collegiate ranks, Bartels spent eight highly successful years with Dakota Alliance Soccer Club, one of the premier competitive clubs in the region. He spent the last six seasons of his tenure serving as a competitive head coach for the Boys U11 and U12 age groups, specializing in transitioning elite young talent into full-sided competitive environments.
On the instructional side, Bartels holds a USSF "D&" License along with USSF 9v9 and 11v11 Grassroots Licenses, reflecting his commitment to modern coaching methodologies, technical precision, and structured team tactics.
