Aurora University
Spartan Men's Soccer

Meet the Coaching Staff

Pete Watkins, Head Coach
50-23-11, .661
Fifth Season
630-844-5268
pwatkins@aurora.edu

Pete Watkins will enter his fifth season at the helm of the Spartan men's soccer program. In his first four seasons at Aurora University, the Spartans have compiled a 50-23-11 mark.

Coach Watkin's 2003 squad qualified for the Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference (NIIC) tournament and earned a semi-final seed. In the record-setting 2004 campaign, AU finished unbeaten in the NIIC, claiming both the regular season and NIIC tournament championships. The 2004 squad also claimed the first NSCAA regional rankings (October 10th and 17th) for an Aurora University men's soccer team since 1997. Watkins was named the 2004 NIIC Coach of the Year and the Spartans landed six athletes on the NIIC First and Second Teams. In 2005, the Spartans flexed their muscle by winning the regular season NIIC title with a 3-0 record; and compiling a 16-4-1 overall record. In 2005, AU placed eight members on the All-NIIC team and had two All-Region selections. The 2006 campaign witnessed Watkins leading the Spartans to their first ever NCAA Tournament, and compile a 12-5-4 overall record.

Watkins came to AU from west Michigan, where he was the Head Women's Soccer Coach at Ferris State University, an NCAA Division II institution. He also was a West Michigan Olympic Development Program Staff Coach for the '88 boys' teams. Watkins also served as the Grand Valley Premier coach for the U-18 men's squad competing in the National "Y" League, the highest level in boys' soccer. In the summers, Watkins is a staff member for the Indiana University Soccer Camp, one of the top clinics in the nation for college-bound soccer players. Prior to his five-year tenure in Michigan, Watkins was the Head Women's Coach at Northwestern State University, an NCAA Division I institution in Natchitoches, LA. While at NSU, Watkins was named the 1998 Southland Conference Coach of the Year.

As a student-athlete, Watkins played for MacMurray College in Jacksonville, IL, and earned First-Team, All- St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors in 1993. He was also named an Adidas Academic All-American. While at MacMurray, Watkins competed as a starting midfielder in the 1992 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Tournament. He completed his playing career as a team captain and earned MacMurray's Bill Wall Award for Athletic Leadership. Watkins served as Assistant Coach while completing his undergraduate degree, graduating summa cum laude in psychology. Coach Watkins has earned his NSCAA Advanced National diploma. He is married to Laura, a special education teacher in Oswego, and the couple has two children, Campbell James and Mae McLain.

Alex DeGurian , Assistant Coach
First Season
630-844-4885
adeguria@aurora.edu

Alex DeGurian joins the AU men's soccer coaching staff after spending the previous four seasons on the pitch for the Spartans. DeGurian was a midfielder, four-time captain in his career and AU MVP as a freshman.

DeGurian was a four-time All- Conference player (three seasons in the Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference and one in the Northern Athletics Conference). As a sophomore, DeGurian was named National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Region. In his four years as a Spartan, AU had a 50-23-11 record and made the first NCAA Division III tournament trip in AU men' soccer history. DeGurian finished his career fifth in career assists with 16 and tied in career goals with 26.