ROCHESTER, Mich. – Demir Muftari has joined the Oakland men's soccer coaching staff announced Head Coach Eric Pogue. Muftari returns as an Assistant Coach after guiding the Flint City Bucks the 2019 United Soccer League (USL) League Two North American National Championship as the head coach for the team's first season in Flint, Mich.
 
Muftari served as an assistant coach at Oakland for three seasons (2012-14) helping the Golden Grizzlies to a pair of regular season championships. In 2014, Oakland won both the Horizon League regular season and tournament championships, going on to defeat Kentucky in the opening round of the NCAA Championships. It was just the second time the Golden Grizzlies advanced to the second round of the College Cup, as Oakland finished the season receiving votes in the final NSCAA/Continental Tire Division I Postseason Rankings.
 
"Demir's track record as a proven winner at all levels speaks for itself. As the head coach of the Flint City Bucks, the top USL League Two team in the nation for the last 24 years, Demir has won three USL League Two North American National Championships in the last five years at the helm in 2014, 2016 and one this past summer in 2019," said Pogue. "In addition to his success with the Bucks, Demir led Vardar SC U18 to the US Development Academy national title in 2010. He is easily one of the best soccer coaches in the nation in all facets of the game and our student-athletes and staff will benefit immensely from his knowledge and addition to our staff this year. I'd like to welcome Demir, his wife Jessica, son Shain and daughter Adelina back home to the Oakland Black and Gold."
 
"Adding Andrew Wagstaff and now Demir along with returning assistants Paul Doroh and Thomaz Freitas, both of who have been absolutely amazing during their time with us especially over the last six months when our numbers were down and their roles and responsibilities were increased, is a real blessing," added Pogue. "In all honesty, this is a real exciting time for Oakland University men's soccer and our current and future student-athletes. There will be amazing synergy among this staff that will provide great leadership and mentorship to our young men for many years to come."
 
Muftari spent six seasons as the Bucks' head coach (2013-2017, 2019) winning five national championships during that span, including three USL, formerly the Premier Development League (PDL), North American titles (2014, 2016, 2019), two USL regular season titles (2015, 2016) and the Hank Steinbrecher National Championship (2017). He was also named National Coach of the Year 2014 and 2016 and finished runner-up in 2019.
 
"I'm really excited and honored to return to the Oakland coaching staff," said Muftari. "Getting a chance to work with the program again is a great opportunity and one I truly enjoyed a lot when I was previously here. I can't wait to get started!"
 
Muftari also has been the Director of Coaching for the Vardar Soccer Club Developmental Academy since 2000 and led the U17/18 boys' team to the Academy National Championship in 2010 while also being named US Soccer Developmental Academy Coach of the Year in 2009 and 2010.
 
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