Wisconsin Soccer Central

The newest addition to University of Wisconsin men's soccer coach John Trask's staff is one of the most successful players in program history.

Aaron Hohlbein (Middleton/UW), who capped his career with the Badgers by earning All-American honors in 2006, was named an assistant coach at his alma mater Wednesday. He replaces Ian Sarachan, who is headed back to California after two seasons on the UW sidelines.

"To have a former Badger join the staff is very exciting for me and the program," Trask said in a news release. "Aaron brings an incredible amount of professional experience, having played for four years in Major League Soccer. He understands what being a student-athlete at Wisconsin represents and the special qualities we look for in men's soccer players."

Hohlbein earned All-Big Ten Conference honors all four years at UW, making the first team in 2005 and '06 after being a second-team pick in 2003 and '04, and wore the captain's armband for his final two seasons.

The center back was named to the third team of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-America team as a senior – he's one of only seven All-Americans in program history. He finished his college career with six goals and seven assists in 77 appearances (all starts).

Hohlbein was drafted by the Kansas City Wizards with the third pick of the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft and signed with the team after a trial with German third-division club Sportfreunde Siegen. He made 43 appearances for the Wizards from 2007 to '10, scoring two goals and adding one assist.

He was loaned to Miami FC of the USSF Division 2 Pro League in 2010, playing the final 10 games of the season, and remained with the team in 2011 when it was renamed the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and moved into the North American Soccer League. Hohlbein was the team captain and started the first 14 matches before suffering a right knee injury – he had surgery on the knee in 2011 and '12, then suffered stress fractures in his foot and ankle as he attempted a comeback in 2013.

Since then, Hohlbein has been coaching youth teams for the Madison 56ers.

"I'm beyond excited to join the coaching staff here at the University of Wisconsin,” said Hohlbein, who turns 30 next month. "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."

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