Ozhan Ghajar joined the NDB soccer program as the assistant varsity coach last year. This year, he has been named the head coach. Building upon his passion for the sport and prior coaching experience, he is excited to have an impact on the team’s performance. The Catalyst sat down with Ghajar to learn more about his plans for the season.
The Catalyst (TC): What is your background with soccer?
Ozhan Ghajar (OG): I first started playing when I was really young, you know, four or five years old, and then, once I got into high school, I started coaching at my local club. Played all throughout [high school. Played club soccer when I went to college [and] played in … some adult leagues, like semi-pro after that as well … Once I graduated college and I came back to the Belmont area, I started coaching both club and high school, and this is where I’m at today.
TC: Where did your love for the sport originate and what keeps it strong?
OG: So, I think my love originated definitely [from] my parents. My dad was a huge soccer fan [and] he was also a soccer coach. I also think I was lucky enough to have a bunch of friends that were also my teammates and, like, soccer fans, so my environment was constantly soccer and I think that’s what kind of got me to be interested in it. … I love teaching, like teaching anything, it doesn’t necessarily have to be about soccer. I love just giving and helping people get better. So I think that’s what motivates me to [continue] and stay coaching. It’s definitely the thing that keeps me going back
TC: What brought you to coach at NDB?
OG: So, last year, I was an assistant to Coach Rich [Williams]. After that, I learned that he will not be returning, and you know, I really wanted to get involved, so I started coming to more Notre Dame events. I think the first one I can think of was freshman orientation. And I guess what kind of blew me away, you know, not that I would know anything about this, [was] the sisterhood of Notre Dame like everyone was really close, everyone was really connected, everyone went out of their way to make me feel welcome, make me feel, you know, appreciated and important and supported. Just something about, like, the vibe, I think, at Notre Dame that really just captured me. … When it comes to, like, coaching projects, I want to feel a personal connection, and when it comes to Notre Dame, I feel like I have that.
TC: What are your goals for the season?
OG: The main one is [to] make CCS playoffs. That would be … the biggest goal that we have here. And then, you know, I just want to make sure that everyone gets better. So many players come from different backgrounds. Some are playing club really, really intensely, and then you know, some aren’t playing club. I just want to make sure that everyone improves in some way.
TC: What do you hope to accomplish in the long-term with this program?
OG: So, I think a few things that I thought about were, you know, like starting a summer camp … Something [where] we can get some of the players together in their off-season, just kind of reminisce and catch up, and that also allows players that are thinking about joining Notre Dame … a bit of a sneak preview of what the soccer aspect looks like. … Definitely, we want to build out in terms of quantity. I think one thing that we kind of struggle with is just like the quantity of players that we have. … So I really want to build it out, make it bigger. And then, you know, give them some more [and] more stuff to do as well.
