Lifelong Spokane resident Morgan Hartanov has done just about everything in the soccer world since he began playing the sport at age 5 except one thing — run a soccer program.
He finally gets his chance as he was named Cheney High School’s new boys soccer head coach in January, taking the field with his 2016 Blackhawks team this past week as spring sports practices began Feb. 29. Hartanov replaces Mark Kiver, who stepped down in December 2015 after years with the Blackhawks, beginning as a Cheney player and culminating as head coach from 2010 – 2015.
The Mt. Spokane High School graduate has played the game, not only through high school but also in college at Spokane Falls Community College, Shoreline Community College in Seattle and Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, Calif. where he walked on. Hartanov has coached, beginning in college working clinics and camps, and continuing after his return to Spokane where he spent a year as an assistant at his alma mater and the past two years at the Washington East Premier Soccer Club.
Hartanov has served as a technical and youth director at Xifa Soccer Academy, and currently runs the 90+ Project. According to its website, the 90+ Project is a Spokane non-profit dedicated to mentoring “under-resourced urban youth by fostering holistic development through the sport of soccer.”
“I like working with kids,” Hartanov said. “I have a passion to develop youth, and character is a big thing with me.”
Character is one of the traits of the Blackhawks program that drew Hartanov to applying for the open head coach position. The program has also had a winning tradition since the early days of former head coach Steve Davis, who preceded Kiver and started with Cheney in 1999.
Cheney made its first playoff appearance in 2000 and first trip to state in 2001. Since then Blackhawks’ teams have reached the final four six times, finishing fourth in 3A in 2004 and state runner-up four out of five years (2008 – 2010, 2012) before winning the title in 2013.
Hartanov said the Cheney program is also appealing because of the skill development system, such as the Storm FC program, in place and great support from the community.
“I would argue it’s one of the best soccer programs in Spokane,” he added. “Cheney High School is one of those gigs that doesn’t come around very often. I’m excited to get it.”
Blackhawks athletics director Gregg Hare said Kiver left due to a changing situation at his place of employment; changes that left him questioning his ability to make the commitments to the program he felt were needed. Hare said he admires Kiver for making the decision, and feels the addition of Hartanov will be a benefit to a young 2016 team that lost nine players from last year’s squad.
“I think it will be good,” Hare said. “He’s (Hartanov) got an excitement and energy to work with youth.”
John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].
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