Clovis Community College Director of Athletics James Sewell has announced that Chad McCarty, the first men's soccer head coach in the history of the program, has resigned from the position. In a corresponding move, former assistant coach Yaw Danso has been named as the new head coach for the Crush men's soccer team.
"I'd like to first acknowledge and thank Chad McCarty and the McCarty family for his remarkable work with our men's soccer program from inception to where it is today," said Sewell. "And much more so than the excellent on-field results, but for the amazing impact that he has had on the lives of the young men in his charge throughout our Valley that is so steeped in rich soccer tradition."
McCarty helped launch the program in 2016 and compiled a 52-51-26 overall record over six seasons. He led the Crush to the Northern California Regional Playoffs three times and was just a victory away from advancing to the state championships for the first time this past fall season in 2022.
Danso, who joined McCarty's coaching staff in 2022, not only brings a wealth of coaching experience from various levels, but professional playing experience as well.
"As we begin to pen the next chapter for Crush men's soccer, I couldn't be more pleased to welcome Yaw Danso as the second head coach in program history," said Sewell. "Yaw's pedigree and technical knowledge of the sport is outstanding, and as a former high-performing collegiate student-athlete himself, he understands firsthand how to best address the academic, social, and athletically-related needs of our students.
"Yaw is also a very well-respected figure in the soccer community with strong connections to youth, high school, club, and professional organizations throughout the state, and more importantly, right here in our Valley," Sewell continued. "The was no question that Yaw Danso is the right person to lead our program, and I speak for the entire Clovis Community family when I say that we are excited for the future of Crush men's soccer under Coach Danso's leadership."
Danso began his coaching career by serving as an assistant coach for his alma mater, Principia College in Elsah, Ill. After his final season of playing professionally, Danso found his way to the Central Valley in 2018 to coach with the California Odyssey Soccer Club in Clovis.
He took over as Director of Coaching for California Odyssey in 2022 and also serves as Head Boys' Soccer Coach.
Danso currently holds United States Soccer Federation (USSF) National C, D, and E coaching licenses.
As a player, Danso put together a standout four-year career at Principia (2006-2009). He was named an NCAA Division III All-American as well as the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Player of the Year as a senior in 2009 while earning all-conference honors all four seasons.
Following Principia, Danso began his professional career playing with the Puerto Rico Islanders Football Club of the North American Soccer League in 2012 and was a member of Bridges FC (Chicago, Ill.) in 2013. He also played overseas for Fortaleza Football Club in Brazil from 2015-16 before returning to the U.S. to compete for the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC of the United Soccer League in 2016.
Danso is a native of Duayaw Nkwanta, Ghana.