Erik Kirsch originally joined the Concordia men’s soccer coaching staff in April of 2015 and was promoted to interim head coach in the spring of 2024. He also has served on the JSerra boys soccer coaching staff since 2015 and is currently the head coach of the nationally-ranked JSerra boys soccer program with a German "B" Coaching License.
Kirsch and the Golden Eagles defeated nationally-ranked Cal State San Bernardino 3-0 during the 2024 season, which included a breakout year by Second Team All-Region midfielder Miguel Arroyo, who was also voted PacWest Newcomer of the Year. Arroyo was also a First Team All-PacWest Conference selection, the third straight year a CUI men's soccer player has earned that distinction.
He and his staff focused on shaping the culture and style of soccer during the 2024 season. With the leadership and vision of the current coaching staff the future is bright in Irvine, as players bought into future plans for Concordia Golden Eagles success. He and the staff are excited to work towards putting Concordia men's soccer on the national map at the NCAA DII level.
From 1999-2001, he was the general manager and head coach of the Orange County Waves Professional Team, and in 1998 was an assistant coach with the Orange County Zodiac Professional Team. Kirsch was the Director of the Mission Viejo Pateadores Soccer Club from 1997 to 2002.
He played college soccer at UC Irvine from 1987-1992, where he was named a Scholar-Athlete in 1990 and 1991. He earned his bachelor’s in sociology in 1992. Kirsch went on to play professionally in Germany from 1993 to 1997.
He also leads the FC Peace-Rwanda soccer mission at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif. Erik and his wife Julie have been married for more than 30 years. They have two daughters, Daphne and Kodie.
