With less than two weeks to go before the start of their first CIS training camp, the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s soccer team have unveiled their full coaching staff. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="460"] WolfPack head coach John Antulov (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] Head coach John Antulov has announced that former University of the College of the Cariboo star Tim Hutton along with ex WolfPack players Sebastian Gardner, Adam Dodgson and Allan Connor will be his assistants. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Antulov on the bench at 2013 CCAA Soccer Nationals (Conzie photo)[/caption] “I wanted to get guys who I have worked with in the past and think along the same lines as myself,” said Antulov, who enters his first season as sole head coach of the WolfPack. “ I am fortunate that I have three assistants who I have coached in the past and had great leadership qualities along with have the potential to be quality coaches.   They want to get into the coaching field.  With Tim Hutton, he has worked with me for many years since I returned to Kamloops.  He and I have played together and coached for almost 30 years.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] New WolfPack assistant Tim Hutton[/caption] Hutton is expected to work with the forwards.  He is currently working with Antulov with the Vancouver Whitecap Development program and coached the Kamloops Youth Soccer Association U-16 boys team to the Thompson-Okanagan Youth Soccer League “U-17/U-18” regular season title. After being pursued by WolfPack women’s head coach Tom McManus for a number of years, Hutton decided to say ‘yes’ to longtime friend and former teammate Antulov. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Jodi Hutton in action from 2013 CCAA Soccer Nationals (CCAA photo)[/caption] “It wasn’t anything John did that Tom didn’t’, Hutton laughed about choosing the men’s squad. “ It was a matter of timing with my family.  My son (Kyle) is no longer playing REP hockey and has a job.  My daughter (Jodi) is with the women’s program.  When John asked me, I thought I have the time now to devote to coaching at this level.  That and I wanted Jodi to find herself on her own with the women’s program.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="333"] Hutton (left) with fellow WolfPack teammate and St. Ann's Aluma Olivia Rasmussen (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] Hutton and Antulov started playing soccer together at age 12. They have a similar philosophy on how they want the WolfPack to look. “We want to be a hard working team where everyone is accountable. Everyone has to train. Regardless, if you are the best player on the squad or not.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="333"] WolfPack assistant coach Adam Dodgson (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] Dodgson is returning for his third season as an assistant and will work mostly with the midfielders and defenders. “I had the honor of being part of the first TRU team so being associated with the first CIS squad for the school is definitely something special,” he says.  Dodgson recently secured employment with “Red Bull” and will be trying to make as many work outs as he can with his new position. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Sebastian Gardner answers question from CFJCTV's Chad Klassen[/caption] Gardner is one year removed from being a player with the WolfPack.  He will work with the midfielders. “ I am really grateful for the opportunity.  I love football and have been around the program for six years now. To step into a coaching role immediately is rewarding.  To be coaching under John—who taught me so much so much as a player is amazing.  I am looking forward to being a leader as a coach.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Gardner in action vs VIU (Allen Douglas photo)[/caption] He says knowing the returning players will be an advantage has he steps into his new role. “ I know the expectations of the program and gotten along with everyone on the team every year I have played. I have relationships there that will give me a step up.  I am excited to be a part of taking what was a successful program in PACWEST to the next level.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Antulov playing at Mike Bartram Memorial Golf Tournament a few years ago[/caption] Antulov says if the current players are looking for inspiration in training, they can look no farther than what  Gardner has done over his career here. “ From battling his health issues (cancer) to  working hard enough to be a PACWEST all-star,  the guys love Seb.   If a player is having a bad day, they just have to look at what Seb has gone through and put it into perspective. I think Seb has a real knack for the game.   He—and all of the assistant coaches are all leaders.  That is sure to rub off on all the players.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="332"] WolfPack keepers coach Allan Connor[/caption] The goal keepers will be handled by Connor: who is into his third year as the keepers coach with TRU. The former BCCAA all-star is looking forward to continuing on in his leadership program.  “ It is really exciting to see TRU finally step up to the CIS level .  To help the guys transition in will be a challenge but I am excited.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Travis Froehlich receives PACWEST Playoff Keeper Award (VIU photo)[/caption] Connor has worked with WolfPack starter Travis Froehlich (Revelstoke, BC) for the past two seasons.  “ Travis has developed as a goaltender a great deal over that time,” he says.  “He is a leader on the team. I want to see him expand that role to be  a key force at the back. “ [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Morgan Crandlemire in exhibition match earlier this summer[/caption] The other keeper the WolfPack have secured is Morgan Crandlemire, a first year player from Salmon Arm, BC.  Connor is looking forward to having five years to work with him. “ It lines up with how I have been working with Travis.   I am hoping Travis can act as a mentor to Morgan so he has two people to help him develop. He has a lot of talent and it will be exciting to see how he matures as a keeper.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Allan Connor with Kamloops Heat last season (Allen Douglas photo)[/caption] Connor sees the way  he teaches the keepers  changing  wiith the move to CIS. “ I think we will have more positional play in practice instead of the fundamentals of hand work.  More crossing and set play rather than shot blocking. We will utilize those skills in John’s shooting drills.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Antulov survays action on field (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] Antulov plans to utilize all his assistants individually and as a group to plot strategy and develop the talent TRU will have. “ What I want to do is have the assistant coaches work with their positions but at the same time we will work together for overall game play.  I am trying something a little different in  breaking things up a bit. But having the coaching staff that I do, I want to give them specific roles.  When you have younger players, some of them need more guidance in the area they are put in.  We have quality players, it’s just a matter of the coaching staff getting the most out of them and developing their skills in a positive manner.” He adds: “From positional play to helping them see the ball and when to hold, little nuances of the game that these guys (assistant coaches) can pass onto them will be invaluable in the long run.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Gardner with last year's co head coaches Sean Wallace (left) and John Antulov (right)[/caption] Gardner says one key component of the coaching staff will be a sense of familiarity. “ The program is so close: from management to players.  Everyone gets along pretty well and is open and connected.  I played for both John and Sean (Wallace, TRU’s former co-head coach).  I have the utmost respect for them as coaches and people. They taught me so much.  Adam and Al, I have played with and I think we all have a common  passion: we love the sport and want to get better every day. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="353"] Gardner before match last season (Allen Douglas photo)[/caption] Connor agrees: “ For some of us it is like working with family. Adam and I have been teammates since we were 16 years old.  We have had a connection for years: him being a centre back and me being a goalie: we have had our good and bad days for sure, like a family.  John has coached us since we were 15 years  old.  I played with’ Sebbie’ for three years and I actually worked for Tim.  It’s a tight knit group for sure and we will be able to bounce ideas off each other with no fear of reprisal.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Adam Dogson in action from a match in 2011 (Vanessa Hannick photo)[/caption] The WolfPack begin training on August 5 th. Their first CIS match will be played at home: September 12 th at Hillside Stadium against the Trinity Western Spartans.  Kick off is 7 pm.   THROW INS:  Hutton says on paper, the WolfPack should be competitive. “ I watched them play a few times last season and we have a number of quality players returning. It will be a struggle but if we work hard, we should be able to compete on the field.”  He has coached minor soccer for 14 years, the last eight at the REP level and is hoping to do so again in 2014-15.