Darryn Haudrich

Gibault Catholic High School has named Darryn Haudrich as its new head varsity boys soccer coach, taking over for Matt Reeb, who resigned recently to take a college coaching position.

“It’s a good challenge for me,” Haudrich said. “It’s a welcome challenge, though.”
Haudrich, the son of Dale and Kay Haudrich of Hecker, played soccer at Gibault under legendary head coach Jim Corsi from 1998 to 2002. The Hawks made their first two state trips in 2001 and 2002, finishing third and fourth, respectively.

“I enjoyed playing for Coach Corsi,” Haudrich said. “Those were probably the best playing days that I had.”

After playing at both Lindenwood University-St. Charles and Quincy University, Haudrich rejoined the Gibault soccer program as an assistant coach with both the girls and boys programs in 2010.

For the past six seasons, he has served under Reeb and has coached the junior varsity squad. Gibault won the Class 1A state title in 2013 and finished third this past fall.

In addition to his coaching experience at Gibault, Haudrich is co-founder of the Southern Illinois Revolution Soccer Club and coaches two youth teams.

Reeb resigned his position to take an assistant coaching job at NCAA Division II Alderson Broaddus University in West Virginia. He posted an overall record of 80-43-14 at Gibault since 2011.

Haudrich said Corsi was excellent at implementing structure, discipline and respect, while Reeb was more focused on the technical and tactical aspects of soccer, as well as a strong faith concept off the field.

“Coming full circle and learning from Coach Corsi was pretty neat,” Haudrich said. “Then I had the privilege to work with Reeb the past six years, and that was a blessing.”

Haudrich said he will lean more toward continuing the mission Reeb had started at Gibault.

Haudrich said the move up to Class 2A will be a challenge, but his team will play its usual tough regular season schedule to prepare for the postseason.

With several key players from the 2016 squad graduating, Haudrich said he will be familiar with a lot of the players moving up the ranks from the JV squad.

He also plans to move into more of a possession-oriented style of play.

Gibault principal Russ Hart said he is pleased with the hire.

“Gibault has an elite soccer program, having four state championships and several second, third and fourth place finishes in the past 12 years,” he said. “We wanted a coach who was familiar with the program and who was passionate and enthusiastic about the game. Darryn has been playing soccer since he was five years old. With Coach Haudrich, we will be able to provide the continuity of a successful program with a seamless transition.”

Haudrich holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and a Master’s Degree in community agency counseling and works for Human Support Services in Waterloo.

Boys in grades 3-8 can meet Haudrich for the first time at the Gibault Summer Soccer Camp set for June 20-23 from 8 to 11 a.m. Students can sign up at dhaud8@gmail.com. Cost is $65 to attend the camp.