University of Chicago Men's Soccer

Phillip Kroft enters his third year as the Head Men's Soccer Coach at the University of Chicago in the 2025-26 academic year. Kroft led the team in the 2024 season with a 7–8–3 record and a 2-2-3 record in the UAA. To compliment the season, the Maroons placed four on the All-UAA teams including two first team members in Lyndon Hu and Kai Walsh.  Throughout the 2023 season the Maroons posted a 11-3-6 overall record with a mark of 4-1-2 in UAA conference play in 2023. The Maroons advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals in his first season before falling with a 2-1-1 record in postseason play.  During his first season, Kroft had two student-athletes be named CSC Academic All-American, one named USC All-American, had four be named USC All-Region, and had six selections to the All-UAA team including the defensive player of the year and co-offensive player of the year.  Kroft brings a variety of experience across collegiate levels to Hyde Park and will inherit a bulk of the 2022 roster, of which was crowned the National Champions for the first time in school history. He most recently served as the head coach at Division III Johnson & Wales - Charlotte and also has held roles at Division III Catholic University and Division I Davidson College.  While at JWU, Kroft led the program to a USCAA National Championship and 11-5-5 overall record. Under Kroft, the Wildcats boasted a total of four All-America and six Academic All-America award-winners in his two years at the helm. At Davidson, he served as the lead assistant for three seasons, two of which, 2019 and 2021, came under former UChicago head coach Mike Babst. During that time, the Wildcats reached the A-10 Conference Tournament three times and had a program-record finish of 2nd in 2018.  Kroft also brings NCAA experience as a student-athlete as two-year member of Division I Mount St. Mary's University. Outside of his collegiate resume, he has held roles with MLS-clubs D.C. United and Austin FC, primarily with the youth ranks. A native of Virginia Beach, Va., Kroft holds a bachelor's degree in Biology and Secondary Education from George Mason University and a master's degree in Positive Coaching and Athletic Leader from the University of Missouri. Kroft Record at UChicago Year Overall UAA UAA Finish 2023 11-3-6 4-1-2 2nd 2024 7-8-3 2-2-3 4th Total   18-11-9   6-3-5     Overall Win Percentage: .592 UAA Winning Percentage: .607 NCAA Tournament Appearances: 2023 NCAA Sweet 16 Appearances: 2023 NCAA Elite 8 Appearances: 2023

Thomas Kirk enters his first year as the Assistant Men's Soccer Coach at the University of Chicago in the 2025-26 academic year. Kirk takes over the assistant coach position following his time at Rhodes College where he served as the Assistant Coach in 2022 and 2023 as well as the Associate Head Coach in 2024. During his time in Memphis, he helped lead the Lynx to their first double-digit winning seasons in 15 seasons in both 2023 and 2024. He also was a part of the SAA Coaching Staff of the Year two times, coached 26 All-SAA selections during his tenure, and helped Rhodes to their first regular season conference title since 1998. Prior to his time at Rhodes, Kirk was a graduate assistant coach at VTSU-Castleton from 2019 to 2021. He also spent four years as a head coach of the Summit Futbol Club where he coached the U12, U16, and U19 boys team and the U19 girls squad. Kirk earned his Bachelor's degree in Physical Education with a double minor in Coaching and Health in 2019 from VTSU-Castleton. He also obtained his Master's degree in Athletic Leadership from VTSU-Castleton in 2021.

Heinen enters his 1st season as an assistant men's soccer coach at the University of Chicago during the 2025 season. Heinen takes over the assistant coach position following his time as the Recruiting Coordinator and First Assistant Men's Soccer Coach at Gustavus Adolphus in 2023 and 2024. During his time with the Gusties, he helped lead the team to a 26-6-10 record overall and a pair of NCAA tournament appearances. He also coached three All-Americans, eight All-MIAC student-athletes, and the Defensive Player of the Year in the MIAC during his tenure. In 2024, Heinen also spent time as the Assistant Coach and Captain of the USL2 squad, Minneapolis City SC, and he was the head coach of their U19 academy team. In Heinen's playing career, he was a 2-time MIAC champion and a 3-year captain where he played 67 career games and tallied 10 goals and 18 assists for the Gusties. He helped lead Gustavus Adolphus to two NCAA Tournament appearances and a 66-7-13 record overall. He also played for a pair of teams in Western Germany in 2022 and 2023 including SV Breinig (6th division) and Bezirksliga (7th division). Heinen obtained his Bachelor's degree in Public Accounting with a minor in Coaching in 2021 from Gustavus Adolphus College.