Shane Kohler begins his third season as the head coach of the men's soccer program in the 2025-26 season.
In 2024, Men’s Soccer finished third in the ODAC posting an overall record of 13-4-3 record and a 7-2-1 conference record. The Marlins led the ODAC with nine players making the All-Conference team and Alex Moody, Josh Nevins, and Aaron Deans were named to the USC All-Region Team. Alex Moody was Awarded Fourth Team All-American.
In 2023, the Men’s Soccer Team had another great year under first-year head coach Shane Kohler finishing with an overall record of 13-3 and 6-2 in ODAC play. The Marlins had five ODAC All-Conference honors headlined by Alex Moody on the first team. Moody was also joined by Josh Condit and JaMarhe Wills on the USC All-Region Teams.
In his previous role as an assistant coach from 2020 through 2022, Kohler played a crucial role in the success of the Marlins, contributing to their consecutive 12-4-4 records.
Kohler helped coach the 2021 squad to a 12-4-4 overall mark while also advancing to the ODAC semifinal match. In league play, the Marlins went 4-2-3 with the three draws coming against Randolph, Shenandoah, and Roanoke. Under Kohler's instruction, the Marlin defense posted 10 shutouts on the season including eight in a row which tied the program record for most consecutive shutouts in a season. From the 2021 roster, four Marlins landed on the All-Conference teams with Griffin Potter earning 1st-team honors. In addition, Potter and Alex Moody garnered USC All-Region accolades with Potter going on to be named a USC 3rd-team All-American, the first VWU men's soccer All-American since 2003.
Prior to joining the Marlin coaching staff, Kohler was a graduate assistant at Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA for the last three years. While at Moravian, Kohler assisted the head coach in the overall planning and organization of the team practices. He implemented strategic recruitment plans for potential student-athletes, which included organizing recruiting travel, identifying prospects, and scheduling and overseeing on-campus visits. Kohler composed scouting reports and broke down opponent game footage for use during team meetings and practices.
The Greyhounds saw seven All-Conference honorees in three seasons with Kohler's leadership. Moravian went to back-to-back Landmark Conference championship matches in 2018 and 2019, with the 2018 championship appearance being the first in program history. The Greyhounds put together three of the best years since 2002 with a 26-21-7 record and in 2018 the Moravian Coaching Staff was named the Landmark Conference Coaching Staff of the Year.
Kohler played collegiate soccer at Rowan University from 2011-2015. He started 76 of 79 games in the midfield for the Profs and was a two-time NJAC All-Conference honoree (2013, 2015). Kohler helped the Profs to several post-season appearances including a 2012 NJAC Conference Championship appearance as well as a trip to the NCAA tournament in 2015.
Kohler earned his Masters in Business Administration graduating in May 2020 from Moravian College.
Sean Wheaton works specifically with the goalkeepers of the Virginia Wesleyan men's soccer team.
Wheaton played a key role in the 2021 teams success en route to a 12-4-4 overall mark. He helped coach the first VWU men's soccer All-American since 2003, in Griffin Potter, who will return for the 2022 season. Under Wheaton's instruction, the Marlin defense posted 10 shutouts on the season including eight in a row which tied the program record for most consecutive shutouts in a season. The Marlins advanced to the ODAC semifinal match falling to Lynchburg. In league play the Marlins went 4-2-3 with the three draws coming against Randolph, Shenandoah, and Roanoke. From the 2021 roster, four Marlins landed on the All-Conference teams with Griffin Potter earning 1st-team honors. In addition, Potter and Alex Moody garnered USC All-Region accolades.
Wheaton played for the Marlins from 2000-03 and was a solid contributor in goal, recording 375 save with a .902 save percentage in 76 games over his four-year career. He ranks fourth among Virginia Wesleyan's all-time leading goalies in save percentage. In addition to his outstanding save numbers, he recorded 30 shutouts in his career. He was named an All-South Region honoree in 2000, 2002, and 2003.
Wheaton graduated from Virginia Wesleyan in May 2004 with a Bachelor's Degree in psychology.
Brendan Cook joined the VWU Men's Soccer coaching staff in the summer of 2023, this will be his third season with the Marlins.
Before joining the Marlins, he was the Director of Coaching for the Virginia Legacy Boys from 2017-2023, programming for the U11-U19 teams and leading them to two state championships in 2020 and 2022. He was also the head coach for the Walsingham Academy Boys Varsity team from 2019-2023 when they won the State Championship in 2022 and he was named VISSA State Coach of the Year, and as an assistant coach of the Jamestown High School Boys Varsity team helped guide them to a State Championship in 2023.
Brendan Cook played men's soccer at CNU from 2009-2012 and earned a Bachelors Degree in History.
Completed USSF B License in 2022.