Jonas Tanzer was hired as the head coach of the Buccaneers men's soccer program in November of 2020 and begins work on January 4, 2021.
"Jonas has a passion for building relationships with student-athletes," said Fore. "His ability to connect with student-athletes, his recruiting connections along the west coast, his passion for teaching and his coaching experience at the highest levels made him an ideal candidate for this position."
"My family and I would like to thank Jeff Fore, Director of Athletics, and the entire search committee for the opportunity to lead the Park University men's soccer program into the future," said Tanzer. "I can't wait to begin working with the dedicated student-athletes in the program, "Park University is a university on the rise and I am honored to be a part of this wonderful community."
Tanzer comes to Park Gilbert from Dixie State University in St. George, Utah, where he was an assistant coach for the Trailblazers. He assisted with the transition of the program from Division II to Division I. He also was responsible for mentoring and assisting in the overall development of student-athletes, evaluation and recruiting of student-athletes, monitoring their academic progress, travel, and fundraising.
During this same time, he was also the Director of Coaching for the Fire Futbol Club (FC), where he oversaw the day-to-day operations of all 60 teams within the club which was comprised of over 200 players. He also spearheaded the merger between Fire FC and Cima FC. As Director of Coaching, Tanzer developed, implemented, and executed curriculum for coaches and players targeted to specific age groups, outlining expected skill level and strategy goals. He was also a regional coach for the Olympic Development Program.
Prior to his time at Dixie State, Tanzer was Interim Women's Head Coach at Division I Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah for one season (2019). He was tasked with running all aspects of a Division I soccer program. He oversaw overall management and supervision of the program with a $370,000 budget. His team also posted a 3.84 GPA. He served as top assistant for the program the two prior two years. He also served as Director of Coaching at Liverpool Academy Utah during this time.
Tanzer got his start in collegiate coaching at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington from 2016-2018 where he was an associate head coach for the women's soccer program who played at the Division III level. The Lutes went a combined 33-4-6 in his two seasons, winning two NWC championships and qualifying for the NCAA tournament both years. He organized goaltender training activities and performed video analysis as well as coordinated Pacific Lutheran's training sessions. The Lutes had a first-team all-NWC goaltender in Takara Mitsui and had 16 different players earn all-NWC honors including nine first-team nods and Mitsui won NWC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2016. Mitsui was also named first-team all-West Region and 2nd team all-America. In 2017, Tanzer led a new goaltender, Natalie Robinson, to second-team all-NWC honors and she led the nation in save percentage.
During this time Tanzer was also the Technical Director for the Washington Premier Football Club from 2016 to 2018. He devised curriculum and development plans for players aged 6-19 over 68 different teams.
A native of Norrköping, Sweden, Tanzer started in 2009 as the head coach of the Smedby AIS a professional men's team where he helmed the team to a 71-14-11 record over three seasons. He then moved on to be the head coach for the Swedish National 17U team who posted an 8-4-2 mark in his one season. From there, Tanzer moved on as an assistant coach for IFK Norrköping Allsvenskan one of the top professional teams in the top men's division in Sweden. He helped lead the team to a 20-4-6 record during the 2015 season.
As a player, Tanzer represented Sweden on its U15, U16 and U17 national team. He also played for Smedby AIS, the team he would go on to coach, from 2005-2008. He was a team captain every year, named team MVP in 2006 and 2008 and was player of the year in 2006. Prior to his time with Smedby, Tanzer played for Sylvia Swedish Superettan in the second highest division in Sweden in 2003-04, SIK Swedish DIV III in 2001-02 and the Seattle Sounders Select PDL from 1998-2000.
Tanzer earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Pacific Lutheran in 2000, with a concentration in Marketing and International Business. He was a goaltender for four seasons for the Lutes, where he was named team captain all his last three seasons, won team MVP his senior year, and was first-team all-conference from 1998-2000. He was tabbed a third team all-America in 1998. He is among the top five in Pacific Lutheran history in shutouts (18, 3rd)), goals against average (1.20, 4th), saves (289, 1st), and minutes played (5,990, 1st). He also holds the single season records for saves (101) and minutes played (2,048).
He owns a Master in Football UEFA A Advanced License Diploma from the Swedish Football Association/UEFA Europe as well as a Goalkeeper Advanced License UEFA A, B and MV BAS II and I.
From 2001 to 2008, Tanzer owned and operated 26 stores of the Kaffe Clothing Company, a European clothier. He started with one store in 2001 and sold the company for 2008 with a total turnover of 35 million dollars.
Tanzer is married to the former Alison Brennan and they have two boys Lucas (12) and Johan (11).
