Aleksandar Saric was announced as an assistant coach on July 31, 2024. With a UEFA "A" coaching license and accreditations as a goalkeeper coach from the Spanish and Austrian football federations, Saric brings a wealth of expertise to the team.
Saric served as the goalkeepers coach for the Rambler men’s soccer squad last season. He helped Loyola post the best goals allowed per game (1.00) and goals against average (.985) in 2023. Saric guided Aidan Crawford to A-10 Goalkeeper of the Year, First Team, and All-Rookie honors.
Prior to Loyola, Saric served as an assistant coach with the Chicago Fire from 2016-2020. The Fire brought in a third-place regular season finish during his tenure. Saric assisted in scouting goalkeepers, leading stretching and activation, analysis of opponents’ offense, defense, and set pieces, and synchronization between goalkeepers and defense.
From 2012-15, Saric served as a goalkeeper coach with FA Serbia National Team U20. With his assistance, the team won the FIFA U20 World Cup. This victory marked a significant milestone for Serbia, as it was the first time the country won a FIFA competition title since gaining independence from Yugoslavia. Under Saric's guidance, the team's goalkeeper, Predrag Rajkovic, received the prestigious Adidas Golden Glove award.
Saric had stints with FA Serbia National Team U15 and U19, FC Arema Indonesia, FA Serbia National Team U17, FA Serbia National Team U19, FC Dunajska, SC Varzim, and FC Austia dating back to 2006. With all nine teams, he assisted with goalkeepers, recruiting, defensive strategy, and video analysis.
In 2010, Saric founded the B1 Keeper Academy in Belgrade, Serbia. He has since then brought the academy to Chicago where he continues to work and develop goalkeepers for the Serbian FA in five different age groups. He currently coaches five of the top collegiate goalies in the U.S.
Prior to coaching, Saric played as a goalkeeper for clubs in seven different countries. He capped his playing career for Dunajska Streda in Slovakia in 2009.
Saric earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Belgrade University in 2009. His master’s came in 2016 in faculty of sport from Alfa University Belgrade. Saric is currently working on a coaching and athletic development master’s degree at Xavier University.
