Tobias Esche is in his first season as an assistant coach on the Columbia men's soccer staff. Prior to Columbia, Esche was the head coach and Assistant Athletics Director for Fundraising on nearby Yeshiva University.
In his post at Yeshiva, Esche developed a competitive NCAA Div. III men’s soccer program which advanced to the Skyline Conference Finals for the first time in program history in 2022. That year’s team went 9-3-3, 6-3-2 Skyline, also earning the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award, two all-region selections and a combined six all-conference honorees.
Prior to Yeshiva, Esche was the assistant coach at Quinnipiac University from March 2020 – June 2022. Esche was in charge of helping to create the season practice plan, analyzing and evaluating players for the incoming recruiting class, as well as organizing community outreach. Quinnipiac won the Spring 2021 MAAC regular season title and advanced to the MAAC Tournament final.
As a player for the Bobcats, Esche's strong presence on the defensive end helped lead his team to the MAAC Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in program history (2013). Esche started all 20 matches during that historic season. He is a two-time All-MAAC First Team selection, a 2013 All-MAAC Rookie Team recipient, and was named a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-North Atlantic Region second team honoree twice. In 2015, Esche was selected to the Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-District team and earned a spot on the MAAC All-Academic Team. He produced three goals and tallied four assists for a total of 10 points during his time at Quinnipiac.
Esche graduated from Quinnipiac with a bachelor's degree in business management in 2016. He then joined the Southern New Hampshire University men's soccer team for his graduate season, serving as a team captain and earning a spot on the Northeast-10 All-Conference First Team.
After his collegiate soccer career concluded, Esche played professional soccer for BSV Redhen, in Germany, and became the team captain after just one season. He also served as the head coach of the U-11 Boys of the Youth Development Academy of BSV Rehden. Esche earned his UEFA B License in 2018 for coaching, while also assisting in scouting local players for the "Fussball Project" in Germany. After moving back to Connecticut in 2020, Esche played professional soccer for New Amsterdam FC.
A native of Bremen, Germany, Esche earned his master's degree in business administration from Southern New Hampshire University in 2017.
Coaches
Michael Casper, Head Coach
Michael Casper was named the seventh head coach in Columbia men's soccer history in July 2023. Casper brings over 20 years of collegiate coaching experience, including serving as head coach at Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania, from 2007-14. He joins the Lions after a four-year stint as an assistant coach at Georgetown, where he won the 2019 NCAA Championship.
“We are so excited to welcome Michael and his family to Columbia,” Pilling said. “He is a proven winner wherever he’s been and has mentored some of the best and brightest student-athletes throughout his career. His passion, commitment and vision are exactly what our men’s soccer program needs to elevate us to new heights.”
"I am incredibly honored to be named the next head men's soccer coach at Columbia University,” said Casper. “First and foremost, I would like to thank President Shafik and Peter Pilling for their visionary leadership and dedication to providing a world-class experience that can be found #OnlyHere at Columbia. I am excited to get on campus and around the team to begin this new chapter and build upon the legacy that is Columbia men's soccer.”
“Additionally, I would like to thank Matt Scally and the search committee for their commitment to our student-athletes and for entrusting me with their development,” Casper continued. “I’m also so appreciative of the support of my mentors, Brian Wiese, Tim Lenahan, Bobby Clark, and BJ Craig. Their friendship and sincere investment in my personal and professional growth means the world to me. Lastly, thank you to my wife, Kerri, and family for their unconditional support."
In addition to the national title in 2019, Casper helped Georgetown go a combined 59-11-9, make the NCAA Tournament four times as one of the top 10 seeds and reached the College Cup twice. Casper coached nine All-Americans, 10 BIG EAST major award winners and 23 All-BIG EAST selections, a MAC Hermann Trophy winner and multiple MAC Hermann Trophy finalists and semifinalists. Additionally, he aided 13 players sign MLS or European contracts.
Casper spent the 2018 season with Northwestern. That year, the Wildcats led the Big Ten in shutouts (nine) and ranked ninth in the nation. With the Fighting Irish, Casper worked under the direction of legendary head coach Bobby Clark from 2015-17 and went a combined 34-19-10 with three straight NCAA Tournament appearances.
Over his eight seasons as a head coach, Casper led Saint Francis to a 71-61-21 record, including a 36-26-9 mark in NEC play. The 71 total victories and the 36 league wins are the most in school history. The Red Flash were the NEC finalist four times, winning the conference title in 2014, with Casper at the helm.
Casper coached 24 All-NEC players, 15 United Soccer Coaches all-region performers and a United Soccer Coaches All-American as head coach at Saint Francis. Eight of his players went on to the professional ranks.
In addition to the success on the field, the Red Flash produced three Academic All-Americans and 10 Academic All-District players during his tenure. The program received the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award four times (2011-14).
Overall, Casper was with the Red Flash for 12 seasons. Before taking over the head coaching position, he spent four seasons as an assistant coach in charge of the team's goalkeepers.
A four-year member of the UMBC men's soccer team, Casper helped lead the Retrievers to an NEC Championship in 1999. During Casper's four-year career at UMBC, the Retrievers posted a record of 54-19-11, going 30-7-3 in NEC play.
Following his collegiate career, Casper served as head junior varsity and assistant varsity coach at Timothy Christian High School (N.J.) for two seasons (2001-02). In 2000, Casper served as head coach of the Central Jersey Riptide in the Professional Development League.
Casper holds an A License from the United States Soccer Federation and an advanced regional diploma from the United Soccer Coaches.
Casper received his master's degree in education leadership from Saint Francis in 2005 and is a 2000 graduate of UMBC with a bachelor's degree in psychology. He and his wife Kerri have two sons, Jacob and Noah, as well as a daughter Caroline.
Tobias Esche, Assistant Coach
Kevin Valdovinos, Assistant Coach
Kevin Valdovinos is in his first season as an assistant coach on the Columbia men's soccer staff. Valdovinos was hired in April of 2022 after serving as the Director of Player Performance at Manhattanville College during the 2021 season.
While at Manhattanville, Valdovinos oversaw all areas of data and analytics for the men’s soccer program. He monitored, managed and drove the performance of its players, working closely with all staff members to present daily player reports prior to each training session and match. His other duties also included assisting coaching sessions and training activities, contributing to recruitment and the talent identification processes and assisting with player video analysis.
Valdovinos’ experience also branches to the club level as the Director of Player Development at White Plains Youth Soccer Club. There, he worked across various age groups (U10-U18), contributing to the player development process. He was also responsible for the planning, delivery and evaluation of age-appropriate coaching and training sessions, placing emphasis on each player’s technical development. Valdovinos is also a coach and trainer for Warrior Sports Academy in Port Chester. Additionally, he is the founder of his own business, Valdovinos Performance, which aims to work with clients across various sporting disciplines to enhance their athletic performance.
Valdovinos was a two-time NJCAA Academic All-American at Herkimer County Community College in upstate New York. After earning his associate’s degree, he went on to play for Pfeiffer University from 2017-19, earning a Bachelor of Science in health & exercise science in May of 2019. He is currently working toward his US Soccer National Coaching License.
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