Whether it’s a high school soccer game or an Inter Miami match, the US is passionate about soccer. For some, playing or even coaching is a dream come true. For teacher Sandro Deangelis, it is both. After 11 years of working as a coach for Millard North Boys Soccer, he was given the opportunity to coach and teach at Elkhorn South.

“It was an agonizing decision. The reason I’m doing it is because of my kids. My boys want to go to Elkhorn South, where we live. We would finally be on the same schedule for school and have the same breaks,” Deangelis said.

Deangelis grew up in the Buffalo, New York area, playing soccer along with football in high school. At the time, when looking to go to college, there weren’t a lot of opportunities to play soccer. With this, Deangelis went to college playing football for the Nebraska Huskers. He was the kicker for the team and later even played on a Canadian football team. From football star to now soccer coach and teacher, Deangelis is living his dream.

“This is something that I want to do my whole life. So when people tell you to go live your dreams, I’m literally living next to playing professionally. I knew once that I got done playing professionally, I wanted to be a coach. And I wanted to be a teacher, so I’m literally living my dream,” Deangelis said.

One of the main aspects Deangelis tries to implement in the team is a family-like atmosphere. Whether on the field or off, they work to build bonds that can last a lifetime. For player Kyle Rutherford, who has been playing under Deangelis since his freshman year and is now a junior, he has seen the work Deangelis has put in for his team.

“He always has team dinner at his house, or we will do other team bonding activities. We even had the opportunity to meet his mother who lives in Canada this year, which was pretty memorable,” Rutherford said.

After games, Deangelis would go over film with the team, pointing out plays or mistakes. He always had messages for them, whether on or off the field.

“I love how coaching is all year round, not even just in the sport. I am coaching them in the hallways, at barbecues, just those little moments mean so much to me,” Deangelis said.

With all of this being said, this marks the end of an era that Coach Deangelis holds dear to his heart.

“Obviously, everyone was kind of devastated when he told us, but we all understand too, because family comes first,” Rutherford said.

Varsity Goalkeeper Carter Wiebusch has also had the opportunity to know Deangelis from his freshman year to now his junior year. Though Deangelis is moving on to another journey, the boys understand what he is doing for him and his family.

“He told some of us previously, so I kind of expected it. But when he told the whole team, we understood,” Wiebusch said.

Though the team is sad to see their coach go, they wouldn’t be where they are today without him. After 11 years of hard work and dedication, he has poured his blood, sweat, and tears into the young men in the program.

“One thing I will miss about Coach Deangelis is just him as a person and also as a coach, but I love him as a person in general. He is always funny and gives great advice. He loves us all a lot,” Rutherford said.

Deangelis’s teachings on and off the field will live on through the players. Though it may not be Inter Miami, the Millard North Mustangs Boys soccer team always comes out to play.