PELLA — Jeff Diehl, a former player for Mike Kobylinski when he was an assistant coach at Eastern Illinois University, is joining the coaching staff for the Central College women's soccer team.

Diehl and will focus on the team's defensive block and midfield shape. Kobylinski helped recruit Diehl to Eastern Illinois out of high school.

"We are excited to add Coach Diehl to our staff this fall," coach Mike Kobylinski said. "His knowledge of the game and experience will be valuable. I also feel his tone as well as coaching demeanor is a good fit for our program."
Diehl spent his freshman season with the Eastern Illinois program, earning all-freshman team accolades from the Missouri Valley Conference in 2003. He also was named to the all-tournament team in an event hosted by Northwestern University.

Before Eastern Illinois, Diehl played at Harry D. Jacobs High School in Algonquin, Illinois where he was the first player in school history to earn All-State honors. He also traveled with the Chicago Sockers FC, highlighted by a 12th place finish at the Nike World Finals in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Diehl worked as the head junior varsity boys coach at Marion High School in Woodstrock, Illinois during the 2012 season.

He works as a construction property manager in Des Moines for Hubbell Realty Company.

Diehl becomes the fourth member of the coaching staff, joining Kobylinski, Kayla Sunvold and goalkeepers coach Russ Goodman.