SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that former Colorado Rapids forward Marquis White and former Houston Dynamo defender Stephen Wondolowski were named head and assistant coaches for the club’s U-16 and U-18 Developmental Academy.
White and Wondolowski were members of the technical staff in San Jose’s inaugural season at the academy level in 2010-11. After one season with the program, the duo will take over with White as the head coach and Stephen Wondolowski, younger brother of current Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski, serving as the assistant coach.
“For the upcoming academy season, our goal was to add a pair of coaches who have experience playing at the professional level,” said Earthquakes General Manager John Doyle. “Marquis and Stephen are a great fit for the Earthquakes because of their local ties and their experience playing in Major League Soccer. They are both high character people who will be great role models both on and off the field for our academy players.”
White started his soccer career in the Bay Area at the youth levels and eventually worked his way up to stints in Europe, South America and the U.S. The former University of San Francisco standout played internationally with NEC in Holland in 1993 and the Santa Cruz Destroyers in Bolivia. He joined the Colorado Rapids in 1998, scoring four goals and recording two assists in 42 appearances. The San Rafael, Calif. native also played three seasons for the San Francisco Seals in the A-League.
Staying true to his Bay Area ties, White began his coaching career with San Ramon High School in 1997. He went on to coach the De La Salle varsity squad from 2000 to 2002, a team that included 2010 MLS Golden Boot winner Chris Wondolowski. White went on to serve as an assistant coach for the men’s soccer program at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, Calif. from 2002 to 2005 and spent time as a trainer and coach for the Diablo Valley Soccer Club from 2001 to 2006.
Like White, Stephen Wondolowski has a polished resume that includes loads of local ties and a successful professional career. His post-collegiate experience began with two seasons for the Houston Dynamo in 2007 and 2008. In his time with the Dynamo, Stephen was a regular on the club’s reserve squad and made several appearances in CONCACAF Champions League play. He also scored a goal in U.S. Open Cup Play and picked up an MLS Cup Championship ring in 2007.
The younger Wondolowski initially signed a developmental contract with the Dynamo in 2007 after a successful career with UC Santa Cruz. A four-year starter for the Banana Slugs, Stephen helped lead his school to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the 2004 finals against Messiah College. He received all-tournament honors as a sophomore and was selected to the All-Independent Team three straight years. Four games into his senior season, Stephen moved to forward and responded with 17 goals the rest of the year. He was rewarded with the D-III All-Independent Offensive Player of the Year award.
Following his playing career, Wondolowski returned to the Bay Area to pursue a career in coaching. Along with his work on the technical staff for San Jose’s Youth Academy in 2010-11, he coached for Mustang Soccer in Danville for age groups ranging from U-12 to U-18.
