Roberto Giannini
Head Soccer Coach

Office phone: 765 • 361 • 6208
email: gianninr@wabash.edu

Roberto Giannini enters his second season as the head soccer coach at Wabash. In his first season at the helm of Wabash soccer, Giannini guided the Little Giants to their first home victory in two years, defeating Hiram College 3 -1 on Homecoming weekend, and to a second place finish in the Haverford, Pennsylvani Tournament, after defeating the hosting school 4 -1 in the semifinals. Four of his 2006 players earned NCAC- All Team Honors.

A native of Italy, Giannini played and coached soccer at different levels in his home country, including youth, national amateur, and professional teams. He also was involved in scouting for the youth programs of pro clubs. He continues to maintain ties with Italy as an A.C. Milan Junior Camps instructor and coordinator.

He moved to Northwest Indiana in 1998, and in the spring of 1999 he started training and coaching for the NWI United F.C., bringing its U15, U16, U-17, U-18 & U19 boys to the State Finals 7 years in a row and one regional appearance in 2002, compiling a cumulative 103 – 35 – 11 record. Coach Giannini has been involved with the Indiana Youth Soccer Association ODP program as a boys State Coach since 2000, and as a Coaching Education Instructor since 2001. Additionally, in 2004 he was called up to join the coaching staff of the US Youth Soccer Region II ODP. In 2005, Giannini was nominated the Region II ODP ‘94s Boys Team assistant coach.

In the spring of 2004, Giannini joined Valparaiso University, an NCAA Div. I member. as the assistant coach of the men’s soccer team. In that capacity, Giannini assisted with all of the NCAA Division I program’s day-to-day matters, along with recruiting, on-field instruction, summer camp preparation, and team travel arrangements.

Giannini helped the program to go from a 2-13-3 in 2003 to a 6-9-2 record in 2005 and qualify for the Mid-Continent Conference Tournament for the first time in three years. Giannini was instrumental in coaching a defense that allowed only 25 goals against in regular season, best performance since becoming a Division I program, and posting seven shutouts, four of which in Conference play. The team 1.47 GAA was the best ever and contributed to post a zero goal differential during regular season games with 25 goals in favor vs. 25 against. Eight of Giannini’s recruits, who were members of Valparaiso starting eleven in 2006, contributed to the best start in school history by going 3 – 0 and pushed Valpo to its first ever NCAA Regional ranking, occupying the 6th spot on the weekend of September 6, 2006. The same week, Paul Leitelt, a Munster, IN resident and Giannini’s first pick in his 2005 recruiting class, was nominated to the NCAA Div I National Team.

Giannini holds several coaching licenses including the USSF “A” and Youth National; the NSCAA “Premier” and State Goal Keeping Diploma; the UEFA “B” and the Italian FA “Youth” National. Giannini received a Master of Science Degree with Highest Distinction in Sports Administration from Valparaiso University.

Giannini and his wife, Marcela - a Northwestern Indiana native - have been married for seventeen years.

Jeff Oleck
Assistant Soccer Coach
Athletics Intern

Office phone: 765 • 361 • 6131
email: oleckj@wabash.edu

Jeff Oleck is in his second season as an assistant coach at Wabash. Oleck helped the Little Giants finish second at the Haverford, Pennsylvania Tournament, after defeating the hosting school 4 -1 in the semifinals. 

Oleck is a staff goal keeping coach for the IYSA ODP, Indiana Goalkeeper Academy, and IU Soccer Camps. Additionally, Oleck served as head coach for the Dynamo U15 Boys, leading the team to their first CIYSL and Challenge Cup championship titles last spring with an overall record of 17-4-2.

A four-year starter at Valparaiso University at goalkeeper, Oleck set the school record for career shutouts with 14. He is seventh in Mid-Con Conference history in career shutouts, and third in career saves with 345. His 1.72 goals-against average in 2005 was second-best in school history. Oleck had five shutouts in 2005, one away from the Valparaiso school record. He also tied the school record with a 2.05 career GAA.

Oleck, a biology major, graduated from Valparaiso in 2006. He was a two-time Mid-Con All-Academic Team selection and Second Team All Conference. A graduate of Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, Oleck received All-City honors as a goalkeeper for the Fightin' Irish. He was a member of the school's only undefeated soccer team, and was named the Most Valuable Defensive Player.

Oleck holds an NSCAA National Goalkeeping License and the IYSA “D” National License. He resides in Crawfordsville.