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Park Ridge Travel Soccer Coaching Staff

Director of Soccer Operations (DOSO)

Almir Hot - Director of Soccer Operations

Playing Experience – I played for OFK (Belgrade), Sindjelic (Serbia), TUS Koblenz & 1FC Koln (Germany), Lindenwood University, St. Xavier University and Chicago Storm. 

Coaching Experience – I have coached for many local clubs including Park Ridge Soccer Club, Inferno FC, Eleven United, Team Evanston, and Chicago Fire Juniors North Shore. I am excited to be back with Park Ridge Soccer Club! 

Licenses / Coaching Education

National C license, Chicago IL, August 2017

Director of Coaching Diploma, Chicago IL, January 2019

National C license, Chicago IL, C license Soccer Coaching

National D license, Chicago IL, D license Soccer Coaching

Illinois Youth Soccer, Chicago IL, E license Soccer Coaching

  • Personal Bio – I live in Park Ridge with my wife and three children.  My love of the game is what prompted me to coach and develop players. Soccer has given me a lot and I wanted to pass on my knowledge and love of the game to the kids! When I am not on the soccer pitch, I am spending time with my family and friends. I would like to attend a World Cup match one day! 

Almir Hot

Director of Soccer Operations


Tod Privett

Playing Experience – I am still playing.  I was awarded soccer/baseball scholarships as an athlete at Eastern Illinois University.

Coaching Experience – I have been with PRSC since 2010.  I began my coaching career with my first team in 1993.  After a long break, I started coaching again for Team Elmhurst in 2006. I am currently the Varsity Head Coach at Immaculate Conception High School, and I am a former Notre Dame College Prep Varsity Assistant Coach.

Licenses / Coaching Education – USSF National "D" License, NSCAA Regional Diploma

Personal Bio – I was introduced to the game as a 9 year old while living in California and have loved it ever since.  I have lived in the suburbs of Chicago since I was 13.  I currently reside in Elmhurst with my wife Mary and our twins, Cassidy and Jake.  My favorite team is Men's Celtic from Palatine, and my second favorite team is Manchester United.

Tod Privett

Coach

Peter Ilic

Playing Experience – I played soccer professionally for 12 years - 6 years in Europe, then 6 years in the USA & Canada. 

  • 1982-1986: Croatia & Slovenia
  • 1986-1988: Germany
  • 1988-1994: New York, Memphis, Harrisburg & Toronto

Coaching Experience – I started my coaching career coaching with the Columbus Blast Youth Academy for 4 years, then moved to the Chicagoland area in 2000.  After working in different clubs across the US and Europe,  I started at PRSC in 2014, where I find the most enjoyment in the club and staff. As part of the Croatian Soccer Federation, I also attend coaching seminars and conventions where I am a demonstrator.

Licenses / Coaching Education – UEFA "A" License and USSF National "B" License.

Peter Ilic

Coach

Joel Adams

Playing Experience: 

  • Played college at NTSU (1980 - 1982).
  • Played at UW - Madison (1984 - 1985).
  • Selected Second Team All Big - East.

Coaching Experience: 

  • Coaching with PRSC since 2017.
  • Coached for Team Evanston and Eleven United (2015 - 2017).
  • Coached for Green and White (2014 - 2015).
  • Coached for Manhattan Kickers (2004 - 2005).
  • Coached and played for Hooligans SC / adult club team (1990 - 2002), won numerous City League and State Championships, and won the Open Division of the Schwaben Soccer Tournament (2002).

Coaching Philosophy – Soccer is basically a game of keep-away. You either have the ball or you are chasing it, and the real joy in the game is with possession of the ball.  For that to be possible, sound technique is essential.  My philosophy beyond that is to stick together as a team, regardless of the circumstances, and to commit to and develop a love for working hard!

Licenses / Coaching Education – USSF National "C" License

Personal Bio – A professional jazz trombonist, a member of the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, and have my own working band called the "Chicago Yestet."

Joel Adams

Coach

Francisco "Pancho" Estrada

Playing Experience – Kendall College NAIA 2001-2003, Metropolitan League Zrinski and Vikings

Coaching Experience – 
Park Ridge SC (2019-present)
Technical Director Chicago Pandas Soccer School
Staff Coach Team Evanston
Technical Director Chicago Futsal Academy
Loyola High School Head Freshman Coach Boys
Saint Scholastica High School Head Girls Varsity Coach

Coaching Philosophy – I love for my teams to have the ball. This allows them to be creative and comfortable no matter where they are on the field. Before you can dribble, pass or shoot you must make sure you can control the ball, after that any decision you make I can help you with!

Licenses / Coaching Education – 
USSF National “C” License

Personal Bio – I was born and raised in Chicago. My favorite soccer team is Real Madrid whose games I have to record on my DVR since I am always coaching -- but hey, that's my relaxing break from coaching. I enjoy traveling and attended the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Francisco "Pancho" Estrada

Coach

FARUK DZAMBEGOVIC

Playing Experience: Oakton Community College, u17 Bosnia and Herzegovina National Team, Semi-pro: Lilies, Eagles, SC Hammers, Berber Stars 

Coaching Experience: 

  • Park Ridge SC Staff Coach (August 2020-present)
  • Team Evanston Staff Coach 
  • Chicago Fire Juniors Staff Coach 
  • Chicago Pandas Staff Coach 

Coaching Philosophy: I believe in creating a safe and positive environment where all players are able to feel comfortable and enjoy the beautiful game. 

Licenses / Coaching Education:
IYSA Grassroots License 

Personal Bio: I was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina and moved to the United States at the age of two. My two favorite soccer players are Edin Dzeko and Lionel Messi. I enjoy watching soccer and spending time with my family on my time off.  

Faruk Dzambegovic

Coach

Michael Byron

Playing Experience: 

  • Semi-pro with Unia Chicago: 2019- present
  • Concordia University Chicago: 2021-present
  • North Central College: 2019-2021

Coaching Experience:
PRSC Staff Coach (August 2021-present)

Coaching Philosophy: Every player has the right idea but can sometimes lack the technique to perform said action. That is why I focus on having my players be fundamentally sound in all aspects of the game. Once when my players are able to master the basics, the sky is only the limit for them. Technique over everything.

Licenses / Coaching Education:
IYSA Grassroots License 

Personal Bio: I was born and raised in Park Ridge. I’m proud to be a product of this club where I played here from the time I was in third grade to being a Senior at Maine South High School. I have a passion for coaching soccer and helping the next generation of soccer players. My favorite pair of cleats is Tiempo Legend VII and my favorite coach of all time is Jose Mourinho.

Michael Byron

Coach

Philip Mierzwa

Playing Experience: Depauw University

Coaching Experience:
Park Ridge SC Staff Coach (August 2021- present)

Coaching Philosophy: Every player offers a unique set of skills on the field that helps benefit the team as a whole. I enjoy teaching a faster style of play which involves quick passing, attacking, and moving off the ball. I like preparing my players for game-like scenarios by focusing on basic and specific technical skills in order to build and develop their understanding of Soccer.

Licenses / Coaching Education:
IYSA Grassroots License

Personal Bio: I started my journey as a player with PRSC. Since then, I have been able to perform at State cups, National tournaments, High School Conference playoffs, and College soccer games. One of my favorite memories was being able to play with my older brother on Park Ridge Premier SC, even though he was two years older. I support Manchester City F.C. and have worn Nike Mercurials for my entire soccer career.

Philip Mierzwa

Coach

MILOS STOJILJKOVIC

Playing Experience: Played for clubs from Serbia at the semi-pro and pro level: Radnicki, OFK Nis, Sindjelic. Still playing at the recreational level with my friends. 

Coaching Experience:  I have coached all the ages from U8-U18 age groups at:

  • Team Evanston (2011-2023)
  • Chicago Fire Juniors Northshore (2017-2021)
  • Eleven United (2015-2017)
  • Chicago Fire North (2008-2010)
  • Chicago Wind (2006-2008)
  • Numerous camps at Northwestern, Barca academy and ESA
     

Licenses / Coaching Education:
USSF National “B” License
USSF National “C” License
USSF National “D” License
USSF National “E” License
 

Personal Bio: I began playing in elementary school, and since then I continued to engage with the game as both a player and as a coach. Love spending free time with my family and friends. Beside soccer(and pretty much all the team sports) I enjoy outdoor activities such as swimming, skiing, hiking and traveling. 

Milos Stojiljkovic

Coach