Craig Genteman was named the head coach of the Harper Hawks men's soccer program for the 2026 season, bringing more than a decade of coaching experience and deep ties to the local soccer community.
Genteman most recently coached at Chicago Inferno Soccer Club, where he worked with both boys’ and girls’ teams, helping develop players across multiple age groups. Prior to that role, he coached with Palatine Celtic Soccer Club, continuing to build a reputation for strong player development and tactical instruction. His coaching career began while he was serving on active duty in the United States Army, working with local soccer clubs during his military service.
A native of the Harper area, Genteman attended William Fremd High School and played for several prominent local clubs, including Sockers FC Chicago and Eclipse Select SC. After graduating from Fremd, he enlisted in the United States Army as a combat medic attached to infantry units. During his eleven years of service, Genteman completed multiple deployments to Iraq before being medically retired due to injuries sustained in combat.
While serving in the Army, Genteman continued his involvement in the sport as a member of the All Army Sports Program men’s soccer team, although his participation was eventually limited by increased deployment cycles during the Global War on Terrorism.
Following his military service, Genteman returned to the Palatine area and enrolled at Harper College before transferring to Northern Illinois University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science with an emphasis in public administration and public policy in 2015.
Genteman holds numerous coaching credentials, including multiple U.S. Soccer Federation National Coaching Licenses, the United Soccer Coaches Advanced National Diploma, United Soccer Coaches Performance Analysis Level 1 and Level 2 Diplomas, Barça Coach Academy Levels I and II, and the La Liga Formation Methodology Level 3 Certification. His diverse background in coaching education, performance analysis, and player development positions him to lead the Harper Hawks into the next era of the program.
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