George Kostelis Named Men's Soccer Assistant Coach
Central Connecticut men's soccer interim head coach Dave Kelly has added George Kostelis to his staff as an assistant coach for the 2022 season it was announced. Kostelis comes to CCSU with a broad background as both a coach at all levels and as a former professional player.
"It is with great pleasure that we welcome George into the program as assistant coach," Kelly said. "He is nationally-respected with experience at every level of the game in this country. I have known George for a long time, and he will be a perfect fit for the program. He understands that we're process-based, with a focus on the pursuit of excellence. George is an expert in goalkeeping, but is just as outstanding with field players as he is with the keepers. George is passionate, intelligent, and his disposition will allow him to quickly build up a rapport with our players. He will be involved in every aspect of the program; from on-field coaching responsibilities, to recruiting, to fundraising."
An experienced coach, Kostelis was most recently worked at Hartford where he worked with both the men's and women's programs since 2020. Kostelis began his collegiate coaching career as an assistant coach with the University of Connecticut women's soccer program from 1997-2000. During his time with the program, the Huskies were national finalists in 1997 and additionally advanced to the Elite 8 in 1998 and 1999. His career also includes a stop at Yale University from 2001-11 where he helped the Bulldogs win a share of the 2005 Ivy League Championship. In addition to stops at Trinity College and Southern Connecticut State as an assistant coach, he served as the Head Coach of the men's soccer team at Western Connecticut State from 2011-2016 and was Associate Head Coach at the University of Rhode Island women's program in 2017-18.
He has coached with the Elm City Express of the National Premier Soccer League and helped the squad win the national championship in 2017. Kostelis worked with Hartford Athletic of the United Soccer League as Goalkeeper Coach in 2019-20. His coaching career also includes work with the Farmington Sports Arena Football Club, Socer Club of Newington and Oakwood Soccer Club.
Kostelis has also owned GK Soccer Training in Burlington, CT, since 2000. He has helped mentor athletes on both the men's and women's side who have moved on to attend schools such as UConn, Harvard, Louisville, Michagan and Villanova. He is a respected instructor, having worked with the United Soccer Coaches as a national staff instructor for the goalkeeping academy for 13 years. He has also worked with the Minnesota Youth Soccer Assocation and the United States Youth Soccer Association as an Olympic Development Coach with the Region 1 Staff.
Kostelis played collegiately at the University of Hartford where he was a team captain and a three-time all-confercence selection and an All-New England performer in 1992. He went on to play professionally for Aiolikos Football Club in Greece from 1993-95. He has been honored as a member of the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame in 2022 and the University of Hartford Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.
Kostelis is a 1993 graduate of Hartford with a degree in Human Services. He earned a Master's of Science in Physical Education from CCSU in 2017. He holds a USSF A License and is a member of United Soccer Coaches and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
