TULSA, Okla. – Jason Rogers has been named Head Coach of Tulsa Athletic for the 2023 season, the club announced on Thursday, March 2. Rogers brings more than 20 years of coaching and playing experience at the collegiate, high school and club level.
‘I’ve known Jason Rogers since he was a little kid,” Co-owner of Tulsa Athletic Sonny Dalesandro said. “He’s a fierce competitor both on and off the field. I can attest to that. He’s the type of character who will put the work in day in and day out. His younger brother played here and was a captain. He’s family. He’s the perfect fit. He understands the job and is willing to do the work to get us across the finish line.”
Rogers currently serves as the head coach for Thomas Edison Preparatory Middle and High School Boys and Girls soccer teams, a position he has held since 2014. During his time at Edison, the Eagles have advanced to the state tournament and made the state finals in the 2021 season.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to manage the most successful club in Tulsa,” Rogers said. “I want to thank Sonny Dalesandro for having the confidence in me and our coaching staff. We know how much this city loves football, and we hope we can put a group of guys together that understands how well supported they are. It will take work, but our goal is always three points.”
Before his time at Edison, Rogers was the head coach for Verdigris High School for three seasons and started his prep coaching career at Claremore High School for two seasons.
Rogers also brings 14 years of coaching experience at the club level locally at Tulsa Nationals, Blitz and West Side Alliance.
Rogers played his collegiate career at Hartwick, Central Arkansas and Northeastern State.
“In the last decade, we’ve created expectations. A high standard of play on the field. Points on the table. Trophies in the trophy case. This is not an easy job to do because of those expectations. The majority of coaches in the area don’t have the grit to take on the task of being the head coach of this soccer club. It’s demanding.
Rogers becomes the third head coach in the 10-year history of Tulsa Athletic. Levi Coleman, who served two seasons as the head coach of the Tulsa Athletic NPSL side and is the all-time leader in goals scored in club history, left the position in the offseason. A club legend, a celebration for Coleman is planned to recognize all his accomplishments with Tulsa Athletic.
“We want to thank Levi Coleman for his immense service to the club,” Dalesandro said. “As a player and as a coach, he gave everything. His results paint a crystal clear portrait of his quality. We wish him all the luck in the world in his future endeavors. The doors never close on family here, so he’s always welcome. We plan on celebrating his presence at the club by having a testimonial match and celebrating ‘Levi Coleman night’ on the subsequent evening”
Joining Rogers as an assistant coach for the club is Alex McLaurin. A native of Okriftel, Germany, McLaurin currently serves as an assistant coach at Bacone College and is the Technical Director and Strength & Conditioning Coordinator for West Side Alliance. McLaurin played collegiately at Oral Roberts University.
The 2023 Tulsa Athletic season starts on March 22 when the green and yellow play host to Brazos Valley in the First Round of the US Open Cup at 7 p.m. at Athletic Community Field at Hicks Park. Tickets for the match are only $10. Season tickets are now on sale at tulsaathletic.com and include admission at all home US Open Cup matches and regular season and postseason NPSL matches.
