Anoka-Ramsey has announced the hiring of two head soccer coaches for the men's and women's programs. Qassim Ilmi has been hired as the new Men's Soccer coach, while Tim Notz takes the helm of the Women's Soccer program.
Coach Ilmi bring two seasons of collegiate coaching experience to the Golden Rams, both at Hamline University in St. Paul, MN. He also spent three seasons as the girls coach at Hill-Murray High School. Over his tenure, Qassim helped guide the Pioneers to two conference titles and three straight section finals.
Coach Ilmi has also served as the Director of Coaching for Bloomington United Youth Soccer Club, and Sporting Minnesota. At Bloomington United, Qassim helped the club reach new heights with multiple premier level teams as well as USYS National League appearances.
Quassim graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and holds multiple coaching licenses from US Soccer, USC, and the UEFA.
Tim Notz takes over the Women's Soccer program after previously serving as the Head Women's Soccer Coach at Parkland Junior College in Illinois from 2017-2019. At Parkland, Coach Notz won a conference title in 2017 and made two appearances in the NJCAA Region Semifinals. During his time at Parkland, he helped his players transfer to multiple NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA programs after leaving Parkland. His coaching career started in 2007 and has included coaching at the youth soccer level in Colorado, Texas, Illinois, and currently for the Minnesota Thunder Academy. In 2010, Tim coached the Colorado School of Mines men's club team to their first trip to the national tournament. He has his USSF C Coaching License, USC Advanced National Diploma, and USC Goalkeeping Diploma.
Tim believes player development never stops, and players need to continue to invest in the four main pillars of development as college soccer players - Technical, Physical, Psychological, and Tactical. Building the team bond is a crucial part of the season. Players not only need to work hard on the field, but also work hard for each other. Every year brings new challenges, and how the teams responds to those challenges will define each season.
The Golden Rams had their 2020 season canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but hope to begin preparations for the 2021 season in the near future.