Coach George Knezic takes on back to back seasons

For the past 15 years, Greendale High School varsity soccer teams have been led by head coach George Knezic. He’s created bonds with the teams as the years go on and has not only been a coach, but a mentor for high school athletes. 

Coach Knezic’s soccer background has a significant impact on the way he coaches. Growing up as a soccer player, he played for a team in Wisconsin called the Milwaukee Serbs, and had a successful career with the team – including a state champion title in 1986. Knezic had then played college ball at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee from 1981-1983, and was later inducted into the Wisconsin Soccer Association (WSA) hall of fame in 2017. He was very appreciative for the opportunity. “I am thankful for my family and close friends for all of their love and support during my career,” he said.

One of his most memorable coaching moments was in 2007. Wauwatosa West High School was among the top 5 rated teams in the state, and the girls team had ended up beating them 2-1. “It was a very cool moment, [I was] very proud of my team,” Knezic said. Greendale soccer has come a long way since then, with more victories and talent throughout the program. 

In 2019, Knezic and the boys soccer team captured the Woodland Conference Championship for the first time in school history. The combination of great talent and Knezic’s tactics allowed the team to beat school rivals like New Berlin Eisenhower, Shorewood, and Pius along the way to the championship. “That team was a great group of guys that were very talented and deserving of being the first time conference champs,” he said. 

With the Covid-19 pandemic, many fall sports seasons had to be postponed. Some schools had decided to wait until this spring to hold a season, including boy’s soccer. Knezic found this very upsetting, especially with football and girls soccer crammed into spring as well. “The words I would use to describe this situation would be interesting and disappointing,” he said. “Five teams in the league already played in the fall, leaving our season to be very quick.” Despite this change, things are ready to kick off soon for the boy’s spring season.

The way that coaches react to games reflects how the players will react. It’s easy for coaches to become frustrated with their team, but Knezic knows exactly how to keep a positive mindset. “He’s a really good all around guy, who cares about his players and the success of the program at GHS,” junior Colin Remington said. 

Remington was a part of the 2019-2020 conference winning team, and was very happy with the way that Knezic led his team. “After a hard loss against Pewaukee High School during the season, George had really helped us maintain motivation, because tough losses like that one make it easy to lose that drive,” he says. 

Girls soccer players are especially excited to get back out on the turf due to their 2019-2020 season being cancelled last year.  “I’m looking forward to a great season with George. He’s got a funny personality, he knows how to connect with his players and push them, but practices are always fun even when he’s hard on us,” junior Danijela Gallo said. 

The girls season got pushed back further into the year and will end in late June. The hot weather will be a new adjustment for high school soccer, but nonetheless the players hope it will be a good season like always.