NAIT’s Paulus gets FC Edmonton assistant coach job

FC Edmonton shopped locally when it embarked on a search for a new assistant coach.

The team announced that Jeff Paulus, who led Edmonton’s Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) side to a national collegiate championship in 2011, will be an assistant to coach Harry Sinkgraven for the 2012 season.

Paulus has taken leave from NAIT so he can fill the FC Edmonton job, and join Hans Schrijver on the assistants’ team. Paulus was at Victoria Soccer Centre last week working with players, even before the contract was finalized.

“I am extremely excited to join FC Edmonton and be part of a successful, professional soccer team in the city,” Paulus said in a statement released by the club. “I have a strong foundation in player development, having coached everything from U-6 to collegiate players and I look forward to using and developing my skills with FC Edmonton.”

NAIT defeated the Holland College Hurricanes of Prince Edward Island in the national final. Under Paulus in 2011, the Ooks lost just once, a friendly to the University of Alberta.

Paulus has been the head coach of the Alberta Soccer Association’s provincial program for the last five years.

On Nov. 30, FC Edmonton announced it had released assistant Dave Randall, who also coached the reserve team. While no reasons were given by the club, it was made clear that the decision came down from owner Tom Fath. Randall’s departure created a vacancy, and Paulus is now the new local content on the coaching staff.

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