VARSITY COACH:  Dan Woog '71
Dan Woog grew up in the soccer hotbed that was Westport in the 1960s. He was a reserve member of Staples' 1970 state championship team. After graduating from Brown University, where he covered the Bruins' NCAA Division I Final Four teams for the college newspaper, he returned to Westport. In 1975 he co-founded the Westport Soccer Association. He began his coaching career at age 22, forming the first WSA U-16 and U-14 teams. His U-19, U-16 and U-14 teams won 10 Connecticut Junior Soccer Association state championships, and reached the finals of the USYSA Region I tournament once.

Dan coached soccer for five years when Long Lots Junior High School competed interscholastically, then moved to Staples in 1983 when ninth graders entered the high school. He coached freshmen and junior varsity from 1983-94, compiling a 108-16-12 record, with three undefeated teams. In 1995 he became Jeff Lea's varsity assistant coach.He was appointed varsity soccer coach -- only the third permanent coach in Staples' history -- on February 13, 2003, and named FCIAC Coach of the Year in 2006. In 2009 he received the Sportsmen of Westport's Coaching Award, and in 2011 was honored as the Connecticut High School Coaches Association Boys Soccer Coach of the Year.

In 1991 Dan was named National Youth Coach of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. He was also honored as State Coach of the Year by the Connecticut High School Coaches Association (2012) and Connecticut Junior Soccer Association Coach of the Year (1980). In 2000 he was inducted into the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame.

A full-time freelance writer, he has written 15 books, including four on soccer and one on the history of Staples High School. His blog is www.06880danwoog.com. Dan lives in Westport. E-mail: dwoog@optonline.net

VARSITY ASSISTANT COACH:  Kurt Dasbach
Kurt's high school team, Bethesda-Chevy Chase (Md.), was two-time state champions (1980, '82). He was a Parade All-America selection the same year as Mark Noonan '83. In 1983-84 Kurt played on the U.S. U-20 national team. At Columbia, where he majored in civil engineering, the Lions were NCAA finalists in 1983, and Ivy League champs in '83, '84 and '85. From 1988-91 Kurt played with the Maryland Bays of the American Professional Soccer League, and won a championship in '90. From 1993-94 he was with Club de Deportes Puerto Montt of the Chilean Second Division. He was the first American to play professionally in Chile -- and the club is the southernmost pro team in the world. He spent 1994-96 with V.V. Heerjansdam of the Dutch Second Division. In 1996 Kurt joined the Columbia University staff as assistant coach, and remained there through last winter. Kurt, who holds a US Soccer "B" license, now plays with the Westport FC Over-30 state championship squad, and in '03 received its coveted Rookie of the Year award. Kurt, his wife Lucy and 3 children live in Westport.

GOALKEEPER COACH:  Tom Henske

Tom played with both the U-20 and U-18 national youth teams. He replaced Tony Meola as UVa’s starting keeper as a freshman, and led them to 3 NCAA Division I national championships. He was the hero of the 1st final, as the Cavaliers beat Santa Clara 3-1 in a penalty kick shootout following a scoreless draw. Tom ran UVa’s largest student fundraiser to that time — “Shoot Out Cancer” — for a teammate. He donated his championship ring to charity, and organized events asking students, community members and businesses to match his contribution. As a senior, Tom received Virginia’s Distinguished  Student Award. He was a 4-year starter at Northport (LI) High School, where he was twice named to both the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and Parade All-America teams. He was Gatorade’s Circle of Champions New York State Player of the Year and Puma US Goalkeeper of the Year.

STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH: Rich Stein

Rich brings over 20 years of group and individual fitness instruction, including working with the Wakeman Speed Camp for 5 years.  He holds several national certifications, and specializes in flexibility.  A member of the Staples High School class of 1986 -- where was a star wrestler -- Rich graduated from the University of Hartford in 1990, with a degree in communications.

JUNIOR VARSITY COACH: Seth Sholes '78

Seth was an All-State defender on Albie Loeffler's last Staples team, and an All-American at Wesleyan University.  He captained both squads. A government and international politics major, he spent his junior year playing and training in Holland, with Willem II.  After graduation, Seth had a tryout with the Portland Timbers -- but shortly thereafter, the NASL folded.  He embarked on a 26-year Wall Street career, most recently with First New York Securities.  He retired in August 2011 to pursue his passions -- and was immediately hired as JV coach.  Seth continued playing for many years, with the New York Kickers (a squad filled with former Wreckers), and coached his son and daughter with the Bedford (NY) Soccer club, and West Side Soccer in New York City.

FRESHMAN COACH: Chris O'Dell '95
Chris started as a junior on the 1993 state champion Staples soccer team, and co-captained the '94 squad; he also co-captained the Wrecker baseball team. After graduating from Michigan State University in 3 years as with a construction management degree, he moved to Chicago to serve as project manager of a condominium development. He moved back to Westport, and now is a very successful contracting manager (he also built the kickboard at Loeffler Field). Chris, his wife Mary and 2 children live in Milford.

FRESHMAN ASSISTANT COACH: Julien Delepine '95
After playing JV soccer with coach Dan Woog and captain Chris O'Dell, Julien switched to football.  He earned All-State honors in 1994, and was named to the Staples Football Wall of Fame in 2006.  Born in France, he spent 25 years in Westport where he now lives with his wife Linda and daughter Zoe.  Julien's full-time job is in real estate.