Aaron Hohlbein

An All-America defender for the Wisconsin men's soccer team from 2003-06, Aaron Hohlbein returned to join the program's coaching staff in 2015 as an assistant coach. A native of Middleton, Hohlbein brings a wealth of experience and knowledge as he enters his first season as an assistant coach at UW in 2015.

 “To have a former Badger join the staff is very exciting for me and the program,” UW head coach John Trask said. “Aaron brings an incredible amount of professional experience having played for four years in Major League Soccer (MLS). He understands what being a student-athlete at Wisconsin represents and the special qualities we look for in men’s soccer players. I know Aaron and his family are very excited about joining our coaching family and this truly special athletic department.”

Hohlbein remains one of seven in program history to earn All-America distinction as a third-team selection his senior season. A first-team All-Great Lakes Region honoree as a senior, Hohlbein started all 77 games of his collegiate career and tallied six goals and seven assists for the Badgers.

“I'm beyond excited to join the coaching staff here at the University of Wisconsin,” Hohlbein said. “To get the opportunity to work alongside Coach Trask and Coach (Keith) Tiemeyer, two of the brightest minds in college soccer, is an honor. Having been a Badger and also having played professionally at the highest level in this country, I'm looking forward to sharing my experiences with our players to help them fulfill their greatest potential as student athletes, as members of the community and as a team.

“I'm excited to get to work and to start preparing for the upcoming season. With the talent we have, the potential is there for a special season.”

The UW playing career of Hohlbein is a decorated one. He was first team All-Big Ten in 2005 and 2006, second team All-Big Ten in 2003 and 2004, and made the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and College Soccer News All-Freshman Second Team in 2003. Elevating his play when it mattered most, he was recognized on the Big Ten All-Tournament Team in 2003, 2005 and 2006.

A leader as an upperclassman, Hohlbein served as a team captain in both 2005 and 2006.

Hohlbein was drafted in 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft third overall by the Kansas City Wizards and played in the MLS for three years. Hohlbein made 43 appearances at defender for the full squad and 14 appearances for the reserve team, tallying two career goals and one assist.

He was loaned from Kansas City to Miami FC (USSF Division 2) for the final 10 games of the 2010 season. There, he was quickly named team captain with five games remaining in the season and led the club to an unbeaten finish to the year.

Signing with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the NASL in 2011, Hohlbein was immediately named a team captain. He started all 14 games until a season ending knee injury occurred.

U.S. National Team experience for Hohlbein includes being a member of the Under-23 National Team Olympic Pool in 2007-08. He trained at the U-23 National Team Training Camp in 2007 and toured China under head coach Peter Novak. In 2003, Hohlbein attended the U-20 National Team Training Camp and trained under head coach Thomas Rongen.

Coaching was something that interested Hohlbein even during his playing days, as he coached youth camps and clinics for the Kansas City Wizards and Fort Lauderdale Strikers professional clubs from 2007-11. Since 2013, he has served as a youth academy coach and tournament director

specializing in coaching U-10, U-11 and U-12 boys. 

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