OUR STORY
Everyone’s soccer journey is unique. Coach Akin has been passionate about developing players to give back to the game that has given him so much.
FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME
Jon Akin grew up in Pensacola, Florida, where he attended Pensacola Catholic High School. Following graduation in 1995, he continued his playing career at Saint Leo University. As a freshman, he was named First-Team All-Conference and All-South. In 1996, he scored 28 goals and had 16 assists to lead the nation in scoring. He was All-American, All-South and the Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year. In 1997, Akin was First-Team All-American, All-South and All-Sunshine State Conference. In 1998, he ended his career at Saint Leo finishing second all-time in career goals with 61 and first in assists with 45.
In 1998, he spent three months with Independiente of the Argentine First Division.
In 1999, Akin was drafted by the Charleston Battery in the first round of the A-League draft. In 2000, he played in all 32 games for the Battery, who lost in the second round of the playoffs to the eventual-champion Rochester Raging Rhinos. During the 2000 offseason, Akin played with Kilkenny City of the Irish Premier League.
In 2001, Akin played 26 games for the Battery before losing to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the playoffs. He began the 2002 season with the Charleston Battery before being traded to the Atlanta Silverbacks, where he played 20 games.
COACHING AT OGLETHORPE
Coach Akin has rewritten the record book since he arrived at Oglethorpe University in 2002 as a young head coach at the age of 25. Since his arrival, he has become the winningest coach in the nearly 60-year history of the Oglethorpe University soccer program.
In 2011, he coached the Oglethorpe University team to the program’s first-ever conference championship, taking the SCAC championship and earning the program’s first-ever NCAA berth after a 17-4 season. That same season, he was named SCAC Coach of the Year for the second time in his career and saw player Mark Lavery named SCAC Defensive Player of the Year and NSCAA First Team All-America.
Coach Akin has gone on to win 10 more conference championships and a total of 4 NCAA berths. He has brought in some of the best Division III soccer talent in the country with several all-conference and all-region players and multiple freshmen and players of the year. Oglethorpe has also received several transfer students from high-level Division I programs. In 2023, the program added another first-team All-American with forward, Ben Alram, receiving the prestigious award.
A PROGRAM OF CHAMPIONS
Akin’s staff also has seen several recent coaches move on to full-time positions in pro soccer and various programs throughout the ranks of college soccer– from Division I to NAIA.
Under Akin, the team plays a very attractive style, with possession-oriented soccer, building from the back and playing quickly through the lines. This style has helped greatly in recruiting, as it’s a system players love to play in. The coaching staff focuses on technique, work ethic and player improvement and looks for players who have the ability to play in and improve within the system.
Akin also works with the U.S. Soccer Federation as a national team scout and Development Academy evaluator. He holds the U.S. Soccer A coaching license, the United Soccer Coaches Premier license (in which he received the highest rating with a “Distinguished Pass”) and the U.S. Soccer National Youth license.
COACHING STAFF
JON AKIN
Head Coach
Jon has led the Oglethorpe University Men's Soccer program since 2001. He is the winningest coach in program history. Jon was an All-American at St. Leo University before playing professionally in Europe and the United States.
MIKE PATRICK
Assistant Coach
Mike Patrick returned to Oglethorpe in August 2022 to serve as assistant men's soccer coach and director of facilities operations. He previously served Oglethorpe's athletics staff as assistant coach from 2009 to 2012.
JOSH BRONSTORPH
Assitant Coach
Josh Bronstorph returned to Oglethorpe in July 2023 to serve as assistant men's soccer coach. A 2020 Oglethorpe alumnus, Bronstorph was a standout in his two years at Oglethorpe and a part of some of the best teams in Oglethorpe history.
MIGUEL VILAS
Assistant Coach
Miguel Vilas joined Oglethorpe in 2023 as assistant men's soccer coach, bringing with him extensive experience as a player and coach. He was an assistant coach with the Mercer University Bears' soccer program the previous season.
GABRIEL CHAPMAN
Assistant Coach
Gabriel spent five seasons with the Oglethorpe Men's Soccer staff over two stints. Having previously coached the reserve team and served as recruiting coordinator, his most recent role was as first team assistant coach.
HAVE A QUESTION?
We are always looking for ways to help soccer players go further in their journey in the game. Please let us know if you have questions about how we can support you.
Send us a message using the form or contact us directly at info@jonakinsoccer.com or (404) 487-8461.