Coaching Staff

Charlie Ward | Head Coach

Charlie Ward joined the Millikin Athletic Department as the Head Men's Soccer Coach in December 2023.

Ward became the first coach in Big Blue men's soccer history to record a 10-win season in his first year at the helm of the Millikin program with a 10-5-2 record. He helped lead the Big Blue to an appearance in the CCIW Tournament for the first time since 2002, earning a bid to host as the #4 seed in the tournament. Under Ward's direction, three Big Blue players were named CCIW All-Conference selections and Nacho Diaz was a repeat United Soccer Coaches All-Region honoree.

Prior to Millikin, Ward was an assistant at the University of Illinois-Springfield where the squad posted a 13-1-7 record, making the NCAA Division II Tournament. Ward coached Andrea Scapolo, who was named the Goalkeeper of the Year by the Midwest Region's sports information directors, the first one from the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The UIS staff was named the Regional Coaching Staff of the Year in the Midwest by the United Soccer Coaches.

Before UIS, Ward served a two-year stint as a graduate assistant at Upper Iowa, graduating in May of 2023 with his Master's of Business Administration.

He began his coaching career with the Brazilian Soccer School in 2013 before joining the Arsenal Academy Pathway two years later. During his time with Arsenal, Ward worked with youth players developing their skills and pushing them towards academy trials.

Graduating from Southampton Solent University with a Bachelor’s degree in football (soccer) studies, Ward also saw time as the goalkeeping coach for AFC Fawley. He currently holds the English FA Level 2 coaching license along with other talent identification certifications. Ward also worked as a Director of Coach Education for Rochester City (2020-2021).

Ethan Higgins | Assistant Men's Soccer Coach

Ethan Higgins joined the Millikin Athletic Department on January 13 2025.

Higgins was previously the Goalkeeper Coach at Penn State University Harrisburg for 2 seasons tallying a total record of 22-9-10, making the United East conference tournament final and semifinals. Higgins coached 2 second team all conference goalkeepers as well as being ranked as high as 4th in the region during his time there.

Before his time at Penn State University Harrisburg, he played at Elizabethtown College as a goalkeeper under Skip Roderick, helping the team reach 2 landmark conference finals. He earned landmark conference defensive athlete of the week 1 time. He earned his bachelors of Health Science in May of 2023.

Throughout his 2 years of coaching, Higgins has worked with the Capital Area Soccer Association (PA), helping coach various age levels and the goalkeepers for the club. He has also worked with Eric Steele and Frank DiLeonardi to start a satellite academy of Level 5 Goalkeeper Academy in Harrisburg. Higgins also has high school experience at Elizabethtown Area High School, coaching a first team LL-League Goalkeeper and managing the goalkeeper core.

He currently holds a USSF D license and is undergoing the Eric Steele Mentorship Program as of January 2025.