Chris Hughes enters his 14th season as the head coach of the Davenport University men's soccer program in 2026, having guided the Panthers through a period of sustained success and growth since taking over in 2012. Over his first 14 seasons at the helm, Hughes has compiled an impressive 153-87-32 record and built a championship-caliber program that includes the 2014 NAIA National Championship, the 2021 GLIAC Regular Season Co-Championship, and the 2017 GLIAC Tournament Championship.

NCAA Division II & GLIAC Era

Since transitioning Davenport into NCAA Division II and the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) in 2017, Hughes has continued to elevate the program. Notable highlights include:

• 2025: Advanced to the GLIAC Tournament semifinals for the second straight season. Charlie Davis was named GLIAC Freshman of the Year, First Team All-GLIAC, and D2CCA First Team All-Midwest Region, while four Panthers earned All-GLIAC honors.
• 2024: Guided the Panthers to a 9-8-4 record, a trip to the GLIAC Tournament semifinals, and an NCAA Tournament appearance. Easton Lopez earned GLIAC Freshman of the Year, First Team All-GLIAC, and D2CCA First Team All-Midwest Region honors.
• 2023: Secured home-field advantage in the GLIAC Tournament with a late-season surge, finishing with a 6-5-5 record. Multiple players earned postseason honors, including two First Team All-GLIAC selections and D2CCA All-Midwest Region recognition.
• 2022: Finished 8-8-3 and narrowly missed a conference title. Matt Whelan and Eoin Broughan received multiple regional and national accolades, including All-American recognition.
• 2021: Achieved a milestone season with an 11-8-1 record, sharing the GLIAC regular-season title and earning the program’s first NCAA Tournament berth. Hughes coached three First Team All-GLIAC selections and three All-Region honorees.
• 2020: (Spring 2021): Navigated COVID-related challenges to reach the GLIAC Tournament final. The team posted a 4-5-1 record, with Daire O'Riordan named First Team All-GLIAC.
• 2019: Posted a 10-8-1 record and a strong third-place GLIAC finish, including seven conference shutouts. Lasse Pico Kjeldsen was named GLIAC Defensive Player of the Year among four First Team All-GLIAC honorees.
• 2018: Despite a 3-12-2 record, the team remained competitive with nine one-goal losses. Hughes reached his 100th career win and coached multiple All-GLIAC players.
• 2017: In their inaugural GLIAC season, the Panthers went 12-6-1 and won the conference tournament. Hughes was instrumental in developing both the GLIAC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, including a D2CCA First Team All-American.

NAIA Era

Under Hughes’ leadership, the Panthers were a dominant force in the NAIA:

• 2016: Finished 20-2-3 and ranked No. 3 nationally. Advanced to the NAIA National Semifinals and produced six NAIA Scholar-Athletes, including a CoSIDA First Team Academic All-American.
• 2015: Won the WHAC regular-season title (10-0-1), finished 16-3-3, and advanced to the national quarterfinals. Hughes was named WHAC Coach of the Year.
• 2014: Captured the NAIA National Championship with a 22-3-1 record. Forward Dzenan Catic was named NAIA Player of the Year and selected in the MLS SuperDraft. Hughes earned NSCAA/NAIA National Coach of the Year honors.
• 2013: Posted a then-program-best 19-3 record, winning both the WHAC regular season and tournament titles.
• 2012: Improved the program to a 9-8-1 record, building on foundational progress from the previous year.

Early Coaching Career – Calvin University

Prior to Davenport, Hughes spent a decade as the head men’s soccer coach at Calvin University (NCAA Division III), where he compiled a 152-47-22 record. His tenure included seven MIAA championships, multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, and two national runner-up finishes. He was named NSCAA Great Lakes Regional Coach of the Year in 2004.

Playing & Educational Background

A native of Mt. Clemens, Michigan, Hughes is a graduate of Calvin University, where he was a two-time All-MIAA selection as a defender. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business and communications in 1992. Following his collegiate career, Hughes played for Bill and Paul's Soccer Club and served as Calvin's JV coach for eight seasons.

Personal

Outside of coaching, Hughes is a licensed residential real estate agent with Coldwell Banker-AJS. He resides in Caledonia, Michigan, with his wife, Heather, and their two sons, Kenzie and Caleb.