Jarun Named Assistant Men's Soccer Coach
DAHLONEGA – The University of North Georgia men's soccer program has added Omar Jarun as a new assistant coach the team announced Friday. Jarun joins head coach Anel Lilic's staff with an abundance of playing and coaching experience.
"We are thrilled to add Omar Jarun to our UNG men's soccer staff. Omar is an exceptional coach whose accomplishments over the course of his career speak for themselves," said Lilic.
"His work ethic and desire to win align with the goals of our program. Omar's coaching career, both at the youth and professional level in the MLS will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that will have an immediate impact on the growth of our program. His vast experience will not only improve our player development, but will elevate our recruiting reach to new levels."
Most recently Jarun was an assistant coach with Huntsville City Football Club in Huntsville, Ala. An affiliate of Nashville Soccer Club's Major League of Soccer team, Huntsville City FC played in the MLS Next Pro collection.
With Huntsville, Jarun worked to help build the team's roster, assist with team strategy and philosophy, support training exercises and scout both opponents and prospective players.
Jarun spent the 2023 season with the club and while he was there the team finished with a 9-12-7 record.
"I am excited for the opportunity to come to UNG," said Jarun. "I look forward to working with coach Anel and to build something special here for the men's soccer program."
Before Huntsville, Jarun spent time with Atlanta United 2 also in the MLS Next Pro. Jarun was with Atlanta United for two years from 2021 to 2023 and helped build the club's roster, provide tactical and strategic analysis of opponents and provide player instruction.
Jarun is a former head coach after guiding Peachtree City MOBA in the United Soccer League 2 for the 2018 season. He also spent time as a head coach in Atlanta United's Academy program from 2018 to 2021 leading the U13, U15 and U16 teams.
As a professional player, Jarun's career spans 186 games over nine years. He played with 10 different teams which included being a Palestinian National Team member for seven years.
Jarun, originally born in Kuwait, lived in Palestine as a child after his family moved there. In 1991, during the beginning of the first Gulf War, Jarun and his family fled the country to the United States. Years later, he represented his home team on July 3, 2011 while suiting up for the Palestinian National Team in a World Cup qualifying match. It was the first World Cup match to ever take place on Palestinian soil. Jarun was also the first Palestinian to ever play in Belgium when he signed with Sporting Charleroi of the Jupiler Pro League in 2012.
In the states, Jarun spent a season in the MLS with the Vancouver Whitecaps Football Club. There he played in 24 games during the 2008 season. His pro career began with the since disbanded Atlanta Silverbacks in the United Soccer League in 2006. Jarun played 45 games in three years with the team before heading to Vancouver. In 2007 the Silverbacks were the USL Runner Up and in 2008 he helped the club to a USL Championship.
Latest Men's Soccer Stories Feed
- 20 UNG Fall Sport Student-Athletes Honored on PBC Teams of Academic DistinctionAUGUSTA, Ga. – Earlier this week the Peach Belt Conference announced the fall sports Teams of Academic Distinction, presented by Barnes & Noble College. The University of North Georgia placed a combined 20 student-athletes from women's cross country (4), women's soccer (11) and men's soccer (5) on the list.
- North Georgia Removes Interim Tag and Names Anel Lilic Head Men’s Soccer CoachDAHLONEGA – Following a national search, Anel Lilic has been named the third head coach in the University of North Georgia men's soccer program's NCAA era. The announcement was made by President Mike Shannon and athletic director Mary Rob Plunkett in a team meeting at the UNG Soccer Field House at Lynn Cottrell Park on Tuesday afternoon.
- Nighthawks End Run in PBC Semifinals Against LanderMORROW, Ga. — In the final game of the 2023-24 season, the University of North Georgia men's soccer team fell 3-0 to Lander in the Peach Belt Conference semifinals. Two first half goals were too much to overcome as the Bearcats earned a shutout to advance to the PBC Tournament title game.
- Lara Named PBC Freshman of the Year, North Georgia Earns Five All-Conference SelectionsAUGUSTA, Ga. — Heading into the PBC Semifinals for the first time since 2017, the University of North Georgia men's soccer team has received five selections to the Peach Belt Conference All-Conference team, including Aram Lara being named the PBC Freshman of the Year.
- Walsh's Overtime Winner Sends Nighthawks to PBC SemifinalsDAHLONEGA — An overtime battle ended with the University of North Georgia men's soccer team as victors, picking up a 2-1 win after 110 minutes of action. It was a physical game throughout as the Nighthawks fought through tired legs, using just two subs in the game and overcoming an early 1-0 deficit.
- UNG to Host PBC Soccer Championship Quarterfinal DoubleheaderDAHLONEGA – The University of North Georgia will host quarterfinal rounds of the 2023 Peach Belt Conference Men's & Women's Soccer Championship on Monday, Nov. 6 at the UNG Soccer Field at Lynn Cottrell Park. The top-seeded women's team will take on eighth-seeded Georgia Southwestern at 4:00 p.m. before the third-seeded Nighthawk men host the sixth-seeded Hurricanes at 6:30 p.m.