COACHING STAFF
Patrick Mehlert
Assistant Coach
After spending three seasons as a volunteer assistant, Patrick Mehlert was promoted to a full-time assistant coach in January 2022. He enters his 6th season at AU in the fall of 2024.
In the fall 2021 season, Mehlert played an integral role in helping AU to its second straight appearance in the Patriot League championship after finishing with a 6-2-1 mark in conference play. He coached four All-Patriot League selections, including two First Team honorees in David Coly and Nicolas Blassou. Coly and Blassou were also named All-Atlantic Region by United Soccer Coaches, while Jack Green earned a spot on the Academic All-Patriot League squad.
Mehlert helped guide the Eagles to their first conference title since 2004 and an appearance in the NCAA Second Round during the spring 2021 season. American had been predicted to finish ninth in the Patriot League by the preseason coaches’ poll.
In the first round of the NCAA Tournament, AU advanced past Jacksonville in penalty kicks (5-4) after playing to a 3-3 draw. The next round against No. 1 Clemson saw the Eagles hold a 1-0 lead for almost 50 minutes before eventually falling to the Tigers, 2-1.
After winning the spring 2021 Patriot League title, AU received votes in the United Soccer Coaches Poll for the first time since Nov. 8, 2016. In the final spring 2021 United Soccer Coaches Poll, AU was ranked No. 28 nationally. The Eagles also entered the NCAA Tournament ranked first in the NCAA’s RPI metric.
He coached two All-Patriot League players (Coly and Blassou) and one All-Atlantic Region player by United Soccer Coaches (Coly).
In his first season at American, Mehlert oversaw a rebuilding team that picked up three Patriot League wins and was competitive in every other league contest. He coached one Academic All-Patriot League player (Tim Neumann) and a league-best 20 members of the PL Academic Honor Roll.
Mehlert —Class of 2014 — played in 72 career games with four goals and seven assists for the Eagles. Academically, Mehlert was a three-time PL Honor Roll member.
Mehlert is an active member of the DMV soccer scene as he coaches the U15 MLS Next team at Bethesda Soccer Club while assisting the 17s and 19s MLS Next group. Additionally, Mehlert holds his USSF "B" License.
Mehlert received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from American.
The Bethesda, Md., product is the son of legendary AU men's soccer head coach Pete Mehlert who was at the helm from 1972-91 and was the backbone of the 1985 National Championship runner-up team.
Zach Weidman
Assistant Coach
Zach Weidman enters his 3rd season as an assistant coach at American in the fall of 2024.
Weidman joins American after spending two seasons as a graduate assistant at the University of the Cumberlands. During the spring 2021 season, Weidman led the Patriots to their first Mid-South Conference title and an appearance in the NAIA National Tournament Quarterfinals. UC finished the spring with a No. 6 ranking in the final national poll, the highest ranking in program history.
Primarily responsible for the goalkeepers, he directed the unit to one of their most successful seasons between the posts. In the spring 2021 campaign, the keepers recorded nine shutouts (seventh-most in NAIA) and 14 wins, which was the most since 2010 for the program. During his time at UC, he coached an NAIA All-American and 15 All-Conference performers.
He was also responsible for scouting, practice session planning, travel operations, and social media while at UC. Additionally, Weidman oversaw the entire reserve team program.
A native of Concord, Mich., Weidman played at Spring Arbor University. He played four seasons with the Cougars and boasted an .833 record as a goalkeeper. While at Spring Arbor, Weidman served as the men’s soccer representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Council and was the team’s NAIA Champion of Character.
Weidman currently holds his USSF D License and holds a CoachTech Analytical Analysis Diploma.