Htut Zar named next men’s soccer coach at Defiance College

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Defiance College has named Htut Zar as the 10th head men's soccer coach to lead the program ahead of the first season at the NAIA level, the athletic department announced on Friday.

Zar comes to DC from Mount Vernon Nazarene where he served as an assistant coach and the Cougars' JV head coach for the last five seasons. The Cougars achieved four winning seasons since Zar joined the staff prior to the 2019 season including berths to the Crossroads League tournament each year. Zar also earned a bachelor's degree in exercise science and sport management from MVNU in 2013.

His coaching career started as an assistant men's soccer and head men's tennis coach at NCAA Division III Minnesota-Morris during the 2015-16 academic year. He then moved on to Division I Arkansas-Little Rock for the next three years to assist the Trojans' women's soccer program. While focusing on defensive coaching, Zar was also the team's director of operations during two of the most successful seasons in program history. In 2016, Little Rock had a program-best 12-8-1 record.

Zar also holds coaching experience at the high school and club levels from his time in Mount Vernon. He coached the soccer team and was a physical education teacher at Mount Vernon High School in addition to coaching the Stings Soccer Club U-14/15 travel team for three years.

"I am absolutely thrilled and incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve as the new head men's soccer coach at Defiance College," says Zar. "I want to extend my deepest appreciation to President Richanne C. Mankey, Tiffani Selhorst, and the search committee for entrusting me with such an amazing team and chance. My goal is to build upon the program's established success and lead this team to even greater achievements both on and off the field. I am thrilled that Defiance College's values and philosophy align perfectly with my own, and I am honored to be a part of the Education Through Athletics program. After 4 years at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, I was inspired by Defiance College's unique culture and values, which motivated me to make this change. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my players, alumni, and administration at MVNU for an amazing journey. I am excited to get started with the Yellow Jackets and help lead them to victory."

"We are excited to have Htut lead our men's soccer program. His experience as an assistant coach plus multiple soccer coaching licenses will bring our program to the next level as we transition to the NAIA and WHAC. We are hoping Htut can open avenues DC has not used before in recruiting," says Defiance College Athletic Director Tiffani Selhorst.

Htuz is a native of Burma and earned his Bachelor of Science in physics from the University of Rangoon. He also holds a Master's degree in coaching education/recreation and sport science from Ohio University, which he completed in 2016.

In 2023, the men's soccer team finished 6-6-7 and finished fifth in the HCAC. The Yellow Jackets reached the conference tournament for the third time in four seasons before falling in penalty kicks in the opening round. The program looks to continue to build upon recent success as competition at the NAIA level begins in the fall of 2024.

-JACKETS-