PERRYSBURG, Ohio — Owens Express Athletics has not had a competing men's soccer program since the fall of 2015. However, Owens Community College has named a new head coach to lead the restarting of the men's soccer program.
Nate Baer, who is a former Express player and local high school coach, has been chosen as the new head coach for the upcoming season. Baer was a student athlete at Owens Community College in 2006 and 2007 before he went on to captain the Lake Erie College men's soccer team while earning his undergraduate degree.
"As an alumnus, Coach Baer understands the integral pieces of a successful program and the important balance of athletics and academics," stated Express Athletic Director, Shelley Whitaker, in a press statement. "He has the experience as a player and a coach to help lead this team as we re-establish men’s soccer in our sports offerings."
The Perrysburg resident most recently spent three years as the head coach at Mason High School, where he achieved a record of 37-13-9 including a league record of 22-3-2 while earning two conference titles, three sectional titles and two district titles. His 2021 & 2022 finished as the No. 1 team in Cincinatti.
Prior to his time at Mason, Baer served as head coach at Ottawa Hills High School for eight seasons. Under his leadership, the Green Bears compiled a record of 112-34-6 including a league record of 58-2 while winning eight league titles, eight sectional titles, four district titles, two regional titles and making one state final appearance.
Additionally, in 2019 he earned what is considered to be the highest award high school soccer coaches can receive, the National Federation of State High Schools (NFHS) Coach of the Year award. The NFHS award resulted from Baer having been named Ohio soccer coach of the year for 2018 by the Ohio High School Athletic Association.
Baer has been named the league Coach of the Year from 2013-2021 between both high school programs. His coaching licenses include: USSF National E License, USSF National D License, Futsal Level 3/4, and TOVO methodology. Baer has also gained experience via the youth club soccer platform with Toledo Celtics, Pacesetter Soccer Club and Ohio Elite Soccer Academy.
"I couldn't be more excited to be chosen to lead the restart of Owens Community College men's soccer program," said Baer.