 Michael
Wiggins, Head Coach
In his second career position as a high school head
coach, Wiggins has built the Red Devils program into
one of the top squads in the Midwest with a presence
on the national high school soccer scene. A native
of Chicago's western suburbs, Wiggins brings
enthusiasm, a hard-work ethic and passion to
Hinsdale. Those characteristics have helped him
claim the 2004 IHSSCA Sectional Coach of the Year
award and the 2004 Illinois High School Soccer Coach
of the Year honor.
Those honors have substantial backing. In the ten
years at Central, the Red Devils have recorded a
145-72-20 (.654) record, which includes six of the
best 10 seasons in the program’s history. Wiggins
has also guided the Red Devils to a pair of 20 win
seasons: 21 in 2004 and 20 in ‘07.
Coach Wiggins became Central’s fourth soccer head
coach in the spring of 2001 and inherited a program
that had produced an all-time record of (250-224-75,
.524). While compiling an impressive record, Wiggins
has guided the Red Devils to a total of 5 IHSA
“Sweet Sixteen” appearances, the program’s
first-ever national rankings in ’04 (NSCAA #3 in the
nation), and its first return trip to the IHSA State
Finals in 32 years – finishing with a 4th Place IHSA
State trophy in 2007. The 2008 season was nothing
short of remarkable, but nonetheless just short of a
repeat trip to the IHSA State Finals, as the Red
Devils advanced to the Elite Eight. Not only have
the Red Devils enjoyed tremendous team success,
Wiggins’ teams have produced several individual
accomplishments among his players. Former Red Devils
in the past 10 years have achieved 43 IHSSCA
All-Sectional honors, 12 IHSSCA All-State honors, 3
NSCAA All-Midwest honors, and 2 NSCAA All-Americans.
Wiggins’ arrival in Hinsdale was actually a return,
having spent two years at Central as an assistant in
1992 & 1993. While working at Hinsdale Middle School
as a physical education teacher, “Wiggy” was named
the Head Soccer Coach at Downers Grove South in
1994, and served in the top spot there until 2001.
While working with the rising Mustang program,
Wiggins created what has been recognized as one of
the top high school soccer tournaments in the
country: The Great Midwest Classic. The “GMC” is a
tournament that now calls Indianapolis its home,
where the Red Devils have competed against the
nation’s top high school soccer programs. A former
player, the 42-year-old Wiggins competed at Illinois
State University before the Normal, Ill., school
dropped the men’s soccer program. In addition to his
NCAA Division I playing experience, there was a
brief stint with Chicago Power S.C. in the summer of
’93, Chicago’s only professional soccer at the time.
Wiggins has been a member of the Illinois Olympic
Development Program coaching staff, while serving
two years as an ODP State Team head coach. His
experiences have included scouting for U.S. Soccer,
as well as working as an independent observer for
Major League Soccer (MLS). An experienced club
coach, Coach has been involved with the Hawks Soccer
Club and Eclipse Select West most recently. He has
also served as a coach in the Chicago Magic Soccer
Club where he was inducted into the Chicago Magic
Hall of Fame in March of 2005. He currently serves
on the Coaching Education Program State Staff for
the Illinois Youth Soccer Association (IYSA), where
he has worked for close to 20 years. Wiggins
provides coaching education for the AYSO Region 210
as the Regional Coach Trainer and the annual
Hinsdale Soccer Academy Camp for AYSO. He also holds
a USSF National “B” license and the USSF National
Youth License.
Born April 18, 1969 in Chicago, Illinois, Wiggins is
married to Bonnie Wiggins, who was a standout
gymnast at Rolling Meadows H.S. in the late 1980’s,
having won the 1988 IHSA State Title on the vault.
The couple has three children: Julianne (17), Emma
(14) and Brad (10).
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Justin
Cronin - Assistant Coach,
Goalkeeper Coach
