Wayne Jentas
Encyclopedia
Wayne Jentas is a retired Canadian
soccer midfielder
who played in the North American Soccer League
, American Soccer League
, Major Indoor Soccer League
and American Indoor Soccer Association. He later coached at the youth, college and professional levels.
of the North American Soccer League
. In 1979, he moved to the Rochester Lancers
. In 1980, he played for the Columbus Magic
in the American Soccer League
. In the fall of 1980, he signed with the Cleveland Force of the Major Indoor Soccer League
. After one season, he moved to the Canton Invaders
of the American Indoor Soccer Association.
. During this time, he also spent one season, 1984–1985, as an assistant with the Canton Invaders
. On October 11, 1991, he was named an assistant coach with the Cleveland Crunch
. On February 26, 1993, Jentas replaced Paul Kitson
as head coach of the Denver Thunder
. He later coached the College of Wooster soccer team. He has also coached the East-West Premier Soccer Club. He is currently the Director of Pennine United.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
soccer midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
who played in the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
, American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
, Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
and American Indoor Soccer Association. He later coached at the youth, college and professional levels.
Player
Although born in Canada, Jentas spent most of his youth in Derby, England. He began playing in 1972. In 1978, he signed with the Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver Whitecaps (NASL)
The original Vancouver Whitecaps were founded on December 11, 1973 and during the 1970s and 1980s played in the North American Soccer League . The Whitecaps achieved success, winning the 1979 Soccer Bowl. The Whitecaps of that era included international players such as Alan Ball, but also "home...
of the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
. In 1979, he moved to the Rochester Lancers
Rochester Lancers
The Rochester Lancers were a soccer team based in Rochester, New York that played in the American Soccer League from 1967 until 1969 and the North American Soccer League from 1970 to 1980 at Aquinas Stadium...
. In 1980, he played for the Columbus Magic
Columbus Magic
The Columbus Magic was an American soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio that was a member of the American Soccer League. They played their home games in Franklin County Stadium that they shared with Minor League baseball's Columbus Clippers...
in the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
. In the fall of 1980, he signed with the Cleveland Force of the Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
. After one season, he moved to the Canton Invaders
Canton Invaders
The Canton Invaders was an indoor soccer club based in Canton, Ohio that competed in the National Professional Soccer League.After the 1995/96 season, the team became the Columbus Invaders.- Canton Invaders :...
of the American Indoor Soccer Association.
Coach
Since retirement he has coached at numerous teams. From 1982 to 1986, he was the junior varsity soccer coach at Hudson High SchoolHudson High School
Hudson High School can refer to:*Hudson High School *Hudson High School in Hudson, Iowa*Hudson High School in Hudson, Massachusetts*Hudson High School in Hudson, New York*Hudson High School...
. During this time, he also spent one season, 1984–1985, as an assistant with the Canton Invaders
Canton Invaders
The Canton Invaders was an indoor soccer club based in Canton, Ohio that competed in the National Professional Soccer League.After the 1995/96 season, the team became the Columbus Invaders.- Canton Invaders :...
. On October 11, 1991, he was named an assistant coach with the Cleveland Crunch
Cleveland Crunch
The Cleveland Crunch was formed in 1989 as an expansion team in the Major Soccer League to replace the Cleveland Force, which had folded on July 22, 1988. Akron businessmen George S. Hoffman and Stuart Lichter formed an ownership group, named Al Miller general manager and former Force star Kai...
. On February 26, 1993, Jentas replaced Paul Kitson
Paul Kitson
For the English footballer who spent most of his career in the United States, see Paul Kitson .Paul Kitson is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker...
as head coach of the Denver Thunder
Denver Thunder
Denver Thunder were an indoor soccer club based in Denver, Colorado that competed in the National Professional Soccer League.The team was previously known as the Illinois Thunder.-Year-by-year:...
. He later coached the College of Wooster soccer team. He has also coached the East-West Premier Soccer Club. He is currently the Director of Pennine United.