Coaching Staff

Oz Bakirdan, Head Coach

Head Coach Ozkan Bakirdan is in his seventh season at Illinois Central College. Since starting as the Head Coach for the ICC Club Soccer program, Coach Bakirdan, has built the ICC Men’s program into a regional and national powerhouse. Prior to Coaching at ICC, Coach Bakirdan was head coach at Pekin High School and head coach of several elite traveling teams in Central Illinois.

The ICC Men’s program has been consistently ranked in the top 10 over the last 3 years reaching as high as 3rd in the nation in 2006. The ICC Men’s team has been the dominant team in Region 24, going undefeated over the last 3 years, compiling an impressive record of 34-0-0. Illinois Central College has also won the Central District Championship to advance to the NJCAA division I national tournament over the last 3 years also.

Coach Bakirdan’s ability to transform the ICC Men’s program into an elite program was recognized with Coach of the Year awards in Region 24 in 2005, 2006, and 2007.

Ron Smith, Assistant Coach

Coach Ron Smith enters his fifth season as a FIFA licensed assistant coach of the ICC Cougars. He was the ICC Club Soccer assistant coach from 1998 to 2001 with a record of 31-14-3. Prior to his arrival at ICC, Smith was the head soccer coach with the Peoria Soccer Club and Sporting Futbol Club (Peoria). He served as head coach with a premiere traveling soccer club from 2000-2002, and was assistant coach, 1991-2000. Since 1997 he has, coached, refereed, and coordinated Peoria Parochial Soccer.