Steve Shelton

Steve Shelton brings elite collegiate coaching experience and a deep background in youth player development to the Nike Soccer Camp at the University of Detroit Mercy. With a proven track record of building winning programs, developing confident players, and mentoring athletes at every level, Shelton is widely respected for his ability to blend high‑level soccer instruction with a positive, growth‑focused environment. His passion for teaching the game and commitment to player development make him an outstanding leader for young athletes looking to improve, compete, and have fun.

Shelton has served as the Head Women’s Soccer Coach at the University of Detroit Mercy, where he has guided the Titans to some of the most successful seasons in program history. Under his leadership, Detroit Mercy achieved double‑digit wins, a top‑three conference finish, and a postseason tournament victory, while dramatically outperforming preseason expectations. His accomplishments earned him Horizon League Coach of the Year honors, recognizing his impact as one of the league’s top coaches.

Known as both a tactician and a culture‑builder, Shelton has helped elevate teams through disciplined training, strong relationships, and a clear development pathway. His collegiate players have earned all‑conference and all‑freshman recognition, while his teams have consistently shown growth in performance, confidence, and competitive consistency.

Shelton’s coaching experience spans NCAA Division I, NAIA, high school, and elite club soccer, giving him a unique ability to connect with and develop players of all ages and ability levels. Prior to Detroit Mercy, he served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Ball State University, where he helped lead the program to conference championships, national recognition, and one of the best records in the MAC during his tenure. Earlier in his career, he was the head coach at Concordia University (MI), where he transformed the program into a perennial winner and guided it to national rankings and multiple double‑digit win seasons.

In addition to his collegiate success, Shelton has extensive experience in youth and club soccer, serving in leadership roles with organizations such as Royal Oak Football Club, Michigan Rush, and other top development programs. He also began his coaching journey at the high school level, where he earned Coach of the Year honors and led teams to league titles, district championships, and deep postseason runs.

A former standout player himself, Shelton understands the game from the athlete’s perspective and brings that insight into every training session. He holds a USSF National “A” Coaching License, reflecting the highest level of coaching education in the United States.

At camp, Coach Shelton creates an energetic, supportive, and challenging learning environment where players are encouraged to build technical skill, tactical understanding, confidence, and a lifelong love for the game.