Coaches

Alex Fatovic

Head Coach

afatovic@nmu.edu

906-227-2469

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Alex Fatovic was named the head men's soccer coach in May 2022. 

In his first season in 2022, the Wildcats posted a 5-8-4 record and a GLIAC Tournament appearance. Under Fatovic, Tommaso Lami was named GLIAC Freshman of the Year and an All-GLIAC First-Team selection, Philipp Rimmler was named First-Team All-GLIAC, and Jan Hoffmann earned an honorable mention. The team excelled in the classroom, with 17 total student-athletes earning spots on the 2022-23 GLIAC All-Academic Team.

Fatovic joined the Wildcats from Division I Columbia University in New York City, where he was an assistant coach with the men's soccer team since 2019.

Among his duties as an assistant coach at Columbia, Fatovic helped carry out daily operations such as planning and executing student-athlete training, film evaluation and breakdown, facilities coordination, travel, administrative tasks, compliance, managing the team budget, admissions and IDP's, and coordinating camps, fundraisers, and clinics held by the men's soccer program. Fatovic's focus was on goalkeeper coaching and defensive and midfield functional groups. 

In 2020, Fatovic created the Xcel Keeper Club LLC in New York City, with a vision of developing goalkeepers of all levels in and around the NYC metropolitan area. The Xcel Keeper Club offers camps, clinics, and club support, assisting in the development of goalkeepers while providing video analysis and tactical support.

Before Colubmia, Fatovic spent eight seasons as an assistant coach at Division I Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia from 2011-19. During his tenure, the Thundering Herd made the Conference USA Tournament five times, reaching the semifinals twice with one championship appearance. 

At Marshall, Fatovic's primary responsibility was goalkeeper coaching and recruiting. In 2012, Fatovic coached Daniel Withrow, the Conference USA Player of the Year. That season, Withrow led the country in save percentage (.895) while Marshall led the nation as a team (.898), recording the 12th best save percentage mark in NCAA history. In the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft, Withrow was selected in the second round by the Columbus Crew. In 2014, goalkeeper Dominik Reining also led the nation in save percentage for Marshall (.894). In 2018, Fatovic coached Paulo Pita, who went on to be drafted by Los Angeles FC in 2020. Pita was voted an all-conference selection in 2019, earning a share of the Golden Glove award. 

While at Marshall, Fatovic largely influenced the establishment of the West Virginia Football Club in November 2014 as a merger of two smaller clubs. Fatovic operated the club on a daily basis, serving as the executive director and club administrator. Among his many duties were implementing new directives and increasing WVFC's brand image and awareness throughout West Virginia and the surrounding area. 

As a player, Fatovic was a three-year starter in the net for Long Island University, playing from 2004-08. As a freshman, he was part of the Blackbirds' 2004 NEC championship team. After graduating with honors in 2008, he continued his playing career with the Aegean Hawks (DC) of the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA),  helping the team to two U.S. Open Cup appearances and the USASA National Championship in 2009.

Before college, Fatovic won two Virginia High School State Championships in 2002 and 2004, earning the Virginia State Player of the Year honors in the 2004 campaign. 

A native of Falls Church, Virginia, Fatovic's coaching education includes a United State Soccer Federation (USSF) Senior A License, National B License, National D License, Grassroots Instructor License, National Youth License, and an NSCAA Advanced National Diploma. 

NMU Coaching Career

Season

GP

W

L

T

League

W

L

T

Finish

2022

17

5

8

4

GLIAC

5

3

5th

Total

17

5

8

4

4

5

3

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