Hope College

David Blahnik was named Hope College men's soccer head coach on May 3, 2022.

In three seasons, Blahnik has guided the Flying Dutchmen to an 32-12-12 overall record (.613), a 14-4-3 mark (.738) against MIAA opponents and a 1-1 mark in NCAA Tournament matches (.500). Blahnik has coached four all-region honorees and 18 All-MIAA selections, including defender Cole Pauly, a two-time all-region recipient and the 2024 MIAA Most Valuable Player.

Prior to Hope, Blahnik guided Olivet Nazarene to a .707 winning percentage over six seasons from 2012 through 2017. Blahnik served as an assistant men’s soccer coach at Hope in 2019, helping the Flying Dutchmen return to the NCAA Division III Tournament and finishing with a 14-6-1 overall record.

At Olivet Nazarene, Blahnik coached his alma mater to five NAIA National Tournament appearances and an 83-31-13 overall record. Olivet Nazarene earned an NAIA Top 25 ranking five times during Blahnik’s tenure. In Chicago Collegiate Athletic Conference play, Blahnik guided Olivet Nazarene to four CCAC tournament titles and two regular-season championships. Olivet Nazarene posted a CCAC regular season record of 51-14-3 for a .772 winning percentage. Blahnik was named the CCAC Coach of the Year twice, in 2016 and 2014. Before becoming head coach at Olivet Nazarene, Blahnik served as an assistant coach there for six seasons. Blahnik also served as assistant professor of exercise and sports science at Olivet Nazarene. 

Blahnik has extensive coaching experience at the youth, college and semi-pro level. In six seasons as the head coach at Olivet Nazarene University, he led the Tigers to five NAIA national tournament appearances and six CCAC Conference Championships. Outside of the collegiate ranks he has been a coach at the USL2 Semi Pro level with both Lansing United & Midwest United FC as well as coaching in their MLS Next platform. 

Before being named head coach at Hope, Blahnik has as Director of Sales and Business Development for Diehard Custom, a global manufacturer, distributor and supplier of custom-made promotional products and apparel for professional sports teams, schools, leagues and businesses.

Blahnik holds a bachelor’s degree in sport management and a Master of Business Administration degree from Olivet Nazarene. As a student-athlete, Blahnik earned CCAC All-Conference honors and was team captain during the 2004 and 2005 seasons.