Christian Bobak became the all-time winningest coach in Franciscan men’s soccer history in just his second year at the helm and he is currently 46-26-5 as head coach for the Barons. 2020 will be Bobak's 5th year at the helm, as the Barons enter a new conference the PAC. Bobak is ready for the new challenge, as he posted a 13-7-3 record in the last four seasons against PAC opponents. The Barons defeated the 2019 PAC champions, Washington & Jefferson, in the early going of the season by a score of 6-1.
Under his guidance, the Barons have produced 18 all-conference players, including two Offensive Players of the Year. In 2017, senior Leo Herrmann became the program’s first All-American as he was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-America third team. In addition, 30 players were named to the AMCC Academic All-Conference team, including 16 in 2018.
The Barons have made four-straight AMCC tournament appearances and won their first conference tournament game in program history in 2017. That year, Franciscan was selected to the ECAC tournament for the first time, making a return trip in 2018. The Barons won another AMCC tournament game in 2019, before losing 1-0 to #1 Medaille in the semifinals.
In 2018, the Barons finished the season 12-8, breaking the previous wins record from the year before. Behind Bobak, the Barons have increased their win total in each of the last three years.
Franciscan set its team single-season scoring record in 2017 with 126 points behind 47 goals and 32 assists. The 2018 Baron defense posted its best goals against average with a 1.50 GAA and have dropped their GAA every year. The Barons broke the scoring record in 2019 with 135 points, 49 goals and 37 assists.
Bobak began his tenure as head coach in 2016 and led the Barons to a 10-7-1 season, the best in program history to that point, and their first appearance in the AMCC tournament.
That year, five players were named to the all-conference teams, the most all-conference players Franciscan has produced in a single season at that point. He would break that record in 2019, as seven players received all-conference honors including Nick Miller earning first team honors.
Bobak played for Franciscan from 2007-2010 while serving as team captain in the Barons first years of NCAA competition. During his time on the pitch, Bobak was named the team MVP, was the recipient of men’s soccer St. Sebastian Award (2009 season) and was named to the All-AMCC second team (2009 season).
While a student at Franciscan, Bobak served on the Baron Athlete Advisory Committee (now called Student Athlete Advisory Committee) and served on several university-sponsored mission trips, including lead SonLife his senior year.
Bobak developed and implemented the first Catholic soccer camp held at Franciscan in 2009. He helped to manage and train coaches and volunteers who minister to youth ages 15-18 through daily liturgy, music ministry, and athletics.
Prior to returning to the Barons, Bobak was the head soccer coach for the Louisiana Fire soccer club in New Orleans, Louisiana from 2012-2014. Bobak also taught theology and was the head soccer coach at St. Paul’s High School in Covington until 2015. During his tenure, St. Paul’s won three state championships and ranked number one in the nation for the 2014-15 season in the national coaches’ poll.
Alongside coaching, Bobak continued his playing career as a member of the prestigious ISLANO – International Soccer League of New Orleans- playing for Montogua Club. His team consisted of professional and semi-professional soccer players and won a league championship in 2013.
Bobak graduated from Franciscan with Bachelor of Arts in theology with a minor in communication arts in 2011 and is currently pursuing his master’s in business administration from Franciscan. Bobak and his wife, Head Women's Soccer Coach, Christyn (Dupre') '11 reside in Pittsburgh, PA.
Updated 3/25/20
