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.

In 1991 Dan was named National Youth Coach of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. He was also honored as Connecticut Junior Soccer Association Coach of the Year in 1980, and in 2000 was inducted into the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame. In 2009 he received the Sportsmen of Westport's Coaching Award. 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. A full-time freelance writer, he has written 15 books, including four on soccer and one on the history of Staples High School. 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.

JUNIOR VARSITY COACH: Ross McGibney '06

The Irish native -- one of the most dynamic strikers in Staples soccer history -- returns to his alma mater this fall as junior varsity coach. After captaining St. Joseph's to the All-Ireland final, he entered Staples and became a 2-time All-State player. He also played for the Connecticut ODP team. As a freshman at Quinnipiac College, where he led the squad to its most successful season ever, he earned All-Conference 2nd team and All-Region honors. Ross has coached at Everson Soccer Academy in Hamden, at Quinnipiac's camp, in Ireland, and privately in the summer.

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.

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 fo the Year.

TECHNICAL COACH: Mike Dobbs '96

The former freshman coach and 2-year Staples captain is the 1st person to fill this new part-time position for the Staples boys soccer program. He will work with individuals and small groups on an as-needed basis. As a 3-year starter at sweeper, Mike's teams won 2 FCIAC titles, and fell in the state championship finals to Guilford in sudden death overtime. He was a 3-time All-FCIAC and 1-time All-State selection. Mike played as a youth for the Westport SoccerAssociation, Eastern FC and South Central Premier, and made the state ODP team. He was a starting defender for Ohio Wesleyan University for one season, then competed on an amateur level throughout Connecticut and New York. Mike has coached for the WSA, Mickey Kydes Camps and the Ohio Wesleyan Men's Camp.  His coaching career began in high school when he coached a U-9 team that included future JV coach Trevor Lamb. "I am delighted to welcome Mike back to Staples," said head coach Dan Woog. "He brings a perfect blend of talent, tenacity and tradition to our already strong staff Our players know and admire him, and will benefit greatly from Mike's work with us."