Remco de Jong

Remco de Jong joined the Memphis men's soccer program as the volunteer goalkeeping coach in 2003.

Most recently, de Jong played a key role in the success of goalkeeper Jake Leeker. Leeker was a solid force in goal for the Tigers as he finished his career with a 1.43 goals against average. After graduating, Leeker signed a professional contract to play for Real Monarchs SLC of the USL.

De Jong's guidance was instrumental for goalkeeper Conor Hurley in 2011. Hurley posted the most wins (11) and shutouts (6) by a Memphis keeper since 2004. Hurley was a 2011 All-Conference USA third team selection for his performance.

Under de Jong's tutelage, former U of M keeper Tyler Strom led C-USA in goals-against average (0.91) and was third in save percentage (.791) in 2007. Strom's 1.17 career GAA ranks second all-time at Memphis.

De Jong was also responsible for goalkeeper Michael Goodlett's development during his U of M career (2006-09). Former head coach Richie Grant credits de Jong for Goodlett's progress in becoming one of C-USA's top goalkeepers. Goodlett ended his career with the program's third-best, all-time goals-against average.

A native of Amsterdam, de Jong started playing soccer at Ajax in the Netherlands when he was 10 years old. As a goalkeeper with Ajax, he played with John van het Schip, Stanly Menzo and Marco van Basten, who coached the Dutch National Team to a 2006 World Cup round of 16 appearance.

De Jong's U18 team, coached by three-time European Cup champion Johan Cruyff, won the Netherlands National Championship in 1981-82. His Ajax 3 team also won the national championship in 1985-86 and was a regional champion from 1985-88.

In Holland, de Jong coached the amateur club RKAVIC from 1996-2000. He came to the U.S. in 2001 and began coaching goalkeepers with the West Tennessee Futbol Club Dragons. He is in his eighth year with the club that just recently merged with the Tennessee Rush Soccer Club.

De Jong is married to Angela de Jong-Angelici, a freelance writer/producer and karate instructor in Bartlett. The couple has two children: a daughter, Alyssa, and a son, Luca.