Coaches' Profiles

Varsity Head Coach

Tony Diaz

Coach Díaz brings an abundance of knowledge & experience to the Pioneers Boys Soccer Program.  An alum of Bishop Watterson High School, he was a constant in that program that reached the District Finals in 3 of his 4 years.  Tony captained his club team(s) during that time, Worthington United & Blast FC, & helped lead them to several appearances in local, state, & regional tournaments.  He is also a former NAIA/NCAA Division II college player when he played at Ohio Dominican University as a student athlete for the Men’s Soccer Program for 4 years.  He was an important part of the first ever ODU Men’s team to reach the NAIA Tournament in the fall of 2007 that made it all the way to the Quarterfinals.  Only able to actively play for 2 of his 4 years of college due to a severe knee injury, he was retained on the staff & gained valuable coaching experience at a relatively young age before graduating in the Spring of 2010. 

Tony spent the next 5 years after college coaching with The Crew in their Youth Development Program & obtained his licensing through the OSYSA while learning a wide variety of techniques & methods working with coaches from all over the Midwest.  He then transitioned to the high school game when he became a part of the Boys program at New Albany High School where he spent the next 5 years (4 as the JVA Coach, 1 as Secondary Varsity Assistant) where he helped win a District Title in 2016 as well as obtain District Runner-Up honors in 2018 & 2019.  During the pandemic, he transitioned to Westerville South High School where he spent the last 4 years as the Primary Varsity Assistant for the Boys Program, most recently helping them to a District Final appearance in 2024.  Tony is entering his 1st season as Head Coach at Olentangy Orange. 

Tony resides in Dublin with his wife Roxanne, sons Easton & Hayden, & daughter Emersyn.  He also works full-time as a corporate chef for Columbus-based Company Bath & Body Works since 2016. 

JVA Head Coach

Peter Kolp

With over three decades of coaching experience at the club and high school levels, I bring a deep passion for player development and team success. Currently in my 26th year as an Intervention Specialist with Worthington Schools, I am equally committed to supporting growth both on and off the field.

My soccer journey began in 1980 with the Ponte Preta youth system in Campinas, Brazil. After moving to the United States in 1982, I continued my playing career with the original Blast Soccer Team (now Blast FC), and then with COSA Express (1984–1993). At Westerville North High School, I was a four-year varsity player, earning a starting role for three seasons and helping lead the team to a state semifinal appearance as a sophomore.

I continued my playing career at Bowling Green State University, starting for three of my four years, earning the Most Improved Player award as a sophomore. During my time at BGSU, our team captured MAC Championships in 1995 and 1996, achieved Top 20 national rankings, and made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances making it to The Sweet 16 my senior year. In 1997, I was selected in the first round of the NPSL Territorial Draft by the Cincinnati Silverbacks.

As a coach, I have worked with numerous teams across central Ohio, including:

• COSA Express FC (1999–2006)
• Blast FC (2007–2010)
• Westerville North HS, Boys JVA (2000–2003)
• Dublin Coffman HS, Boys JVA (2004–2006)
• Olentangy Liberty HS, Boys JVB (2017–2019)
• Olentangy Orange HS, Boys JVA (2020–2022)
• Olentangy Orange HS, Boys JVB (2023–2024)

I believe in creating a positive, structured environment where athletes can grow in skill, confidence, and character. My coaching philosophy is rooted in effort, respect, and teamwork.

On a personal note, I’ve been married to my wonderful wife Wendy for six years. We are proud parents to three children: Tim (25), Arturo (22), and Isabella (9).

JVB Head Coach

Donovan Rivera

Coach Donovan brings youth and new knowledge to the boys soccer program. An alum of Westerville South High School. He was a consistent starter his senior year which brought the schools first out-right win of the Westerville trophy. He also was named a team MVP and 2nd team All-OCC player. Before playing for Sporting Columbus and Barca Academy, he captained his youth team in New York. He led his youth team to many different levels of competition and was part of the team that won the Long Island Cup against the best teams on the island.

Donovan is currently attending Wright State University, studying for his undergraduate in Sports Management and pre-athletic training. This is also his first year coaching.

Donovan resides in Westerville with his mom Mabilia, younger brother Dylan and his girlfriend Anna. He also works at the Abercrombie & Fitch Distribution Warehouse.

Varsity Assistant Coach

Asher Rose

Coach Asher Rose brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Pioneers Boys Soccer Program. Asher strongly emphasizes the mental side of soccer.  He has found that approach to be successful with players at every level of the game. 

A graduate of Westerville South High School, Asher was part of the 2017 district championship team. He continued his playing career at the collegiate level, competing for four years as a student-athlete in the highly respected Men’s Soccer Program at Ohio Wesleyan University. During his time at OWU, the team reached the NCAC Tournament each year—winning the tournament title in 2022—and earned NCAA Tournament berths every season, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2019. The program was consistently ranked in the top 25 nationally, reaching as high as the top 5 during his tenure.

Asher has been coaching for five years at almost every level, beginning as a head coach with Worthington United. During his time there, he earned his USSF D License. Currently, he is working toward his C License. In 2024, he joined the coaching staff at his alma mater, Ohio Wesleyan University. That year, OWU captured the NCAC regular-season title and advanced to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament. Both as a player and coach, Asher had the opportunity to learn from US Soccer Hall of Fame head coach Jay Martin, winner of almost 800 career games, the most of any NCAA soccer coach.

The 2025 season marks Asher’s first year coaching high school soccer, as he takes on the role of Assistant Varsity Coach at Olentangy Orange High School.

Asher lives in Westerville and works full-time as a high school Social Studies teacher at Linworth High School in Worthington.