IU Indy Athletics

Isang Jacob was hired as the fifth-ever IUPUI head men's soccer coach in June 2011, succeeding Steve Franklin at the helm of the program. In four seasons, Jacob has rejuvenated the program's recruiting efforts, attracting two of the top classes in the program's Division I history. In all, Jacob has blended in-state and international talent as some of his signees hailed from Mexico, Colombia, Nigeria and Japan.

One of Jacob's top recruits since taking the job, goalkeeper Eduardo Cortes, was pegged as The Summit League's 2012 goalkeeper of the year and earned a spot on the league's All-Newcomer Team. Jacob’s most recent recruiting successes include a pair of strikers in 2014–Uriel Macias and Emmanuel Usen–who also boasted All-Newcomer Team honors as freshmen when they tallied seven goals and six goals, respectively. Macias was named Newcomer of the Year in 2014. 

Additionally, Jacob helped mold Kyle Hyland into the program's first-ever Major League Soccer (MLS) signee, with the Ohio-native inking a homegrown contract with the Columbus Crew prior to the 2013 season. Hyland was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year by some publications, while tying for the league lead in goals. Another one of Jacob's successes was the late recruitment of 6-foot-7 defender Michael Sass, who played nearly every minute as a rookie and earned All-Newcomer honors. 

Jacob’s recent teams have set a new standard for the program’s academic success as well. The men’s program received the NSCAA Team Academic Award in 2012 and 2014. The 2014 team also received the Summit League Academic Award. 

Jacob also emphasized building the atmosphere surrounding the program in 2012 as the Jaguars moved back on campus to Michael A. Carroll Stadium. IUPUI had a triumphant debut back on campus, netting a 2-0 win over Detroit in front of nearly 1,300 fans. 

In 2011, Jacob helped Perez Agaba cap an incredible college career that included back-to-back Academic All-America and Summit League Scholar Athlete of the Year awards. In addition, Agaba was pegged a Lowe's Senior CLASS All-American and earned a prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. On the field, the Jaguars played a demanding schedule that included a season-opening win over Liberty and a 2-2 draw at No. 21 Kentucky in early September.

Since returning to IUPUI, Jacob has continued the program's legacy of being heavily involved in the Indianapolis community. The Jaguars have been involved with the United Way, Relay for Life, Million Meal Marathon and conducted numerous clinics geared towards minorities and inner-city youths. Jacob was recognized by the Center for Leadership Development in 2013 also served on IUPUI's committee for the United Way. 

Jacob came to IUPUI after a two-year stint at Penn State as an assistant coach/recruiting coordinator. Jacob helped Penn State to back-to-back NCAA Tournament berths and 26 wins during his two seasons. He was also the Interim Head Coach of the Nittany Lions during the spring of 2010, leading PSU to an undefeated mark with wins over Pittsburgh, Bucknell and West Virginia.

The Nigerian-born Jacob began his collegiate coaching career in 1995 at IUPUI, including serving as top assistant when the Jaguars made the NCAA Tournament in 2000.

“I think Jacob is undoubtedly the man to get the soccer program going in the right direction,” IUPUI Director of Athletics Mike Moore said. “He’s going to have the men’s program at the top of The Summit League, both academically and competitively. He’s focused on graduating student-athletes and having IUPUI represent The Summit League in the NCAA Tournament for many years to come.”

At Penn State in 2011, Jacob coached the nation’s top goal scorer in Corey Hertzog and top assist man in Matheus Braga. Overall, the Nittany Lions went 14-8-1 and reached the Big Ten Championship match, before heading into NCAA Tourney play. PSU beat Old Dominion in the opener before its season ended to No. 2 Maryland.

Jacob spent 16 years making a name for himself at the state, regional, national and international club levels before heading to Happy Valley in 2009. He led the Indy Burn ’90 Eagles to seven straight U.S. Youth Soccer Indiana State Championships from 2002-09. In 2008, all 19 of his players earned athletic or academic scholarships to play collegiate soccer, 17 at the Division I level. He was later tabbed the 2008 Youth Soccer adidas Competitive Coach of the Year. 

He was previously the head coach of the U-16 USSF Men’s Academy, director and owner of the Screaming Eagles Soccer Camp from 1995-2009 and an NSCAA State Technical Coordinator from 2005-09.

His passion for teaching the game is clearly evidenced as he’s been a Coaching Education Staff Instructor for the IYSA, USSF and NSCAA since 1997 and an NSCAA Associate National Staff Instructor since 2002. His ODP involvement included serving as the Region II Boys ODP Staff Coach from 2001-09 and head coach of the Indiana ODP from 1998-08. He’s also served as a clinician at summer camps at Penn State, Indiana, Notre Dame and West Virginia.

Jacob will also serve on the NSCAA National Ranking Committee as the Summit League Representative during the 2015 season. 

On the college level, IUPUI averaged better than nine wins per season with Jacob on staff from 1995-02, including the program’s only-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2000.

Legendary former Indiana Head Coach Jerry Yeagley endorsed the hire, having known Jacob dating back to his days at IUPUI. Moore spoke with Yeagley during the hiring process.

“I’ve known Jacob a number of years and he’s been an outstanding staff member at our camps here at IU,” the Hall of Famer said. “I think IUPUI is very lucky to have secured his services. He’s one of the young, bright stars in our profession.

“He has a keen eye for talent in recruiting. In addition, he has a feel – an instinct – on how to blend talent and make it work as a unit. He knows how to find that mix and make it work as a team. And he has very good principles of the game. His teams will be very well disciplined, which has helped lead his teams to success.”

Jacob was a three-time All-MCC and two-time NCCAA All-American during his playing days at Indiana Wesleyan, where he graduated in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He was invited to train with the Nigerian Senior National Team while embarking on a professional career. He played with the Houston Force of the APSL from 1993-95 before coming to Indianapolis to play with the Indiana Blast of the USL from 1997-98. He also completed his Master’s Degree in social work at IUPUI in 1997.

Most recently, he was appointed North America Football Scout for Nigerian Senior National Team under Chief Coach Samson Siasia. In addition, he was added to the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Regional Advisory Committee during the 2013 season. 

Jacob holds an NSCAA Premier Coaching Diploma, the highest offered by the association. In addition, he has his USSF ‘A’ and National Youth License, NSCAA Goalkeeper 1 and 2 accreditation and a Royal Netherlands Football Association Dutch International Youth Coaching License, which he completed in 2002.