Delaware assistant named new director of talent identification for Union Academy

One of the top assistant coaches in college soccer is joining the Philadelphia Union Academy staff as the new director of talent identification.

Jon Scheer, who has been a full-time assistant coach for the past seven years under Ian Hennessey at the University of Delaware after starring for the Blue Hens, will take over for Pete Pososki, who has returned to Michigan to take a job in soccer closer to home.

Scheer, a United Soccer Coaches “30 Under 30” participant and the South Atlantic Assistant Coach of the Year, has been involved with the Union Juniors since 2012 and is a national scout for the U.S. Soccer Federation. He holds a USSF “A” coaching license.

“While I am humbled by the opportunity with the Philadelphia Union Academy, I am well aware this new job is a credit to how highly regarded the University of Delaware men’s soccer program is in the professional ranks,” Scheer said in a news release.

Hennessy called Scheer’s departure from the program “a bittersweet moment.” Hennessy coached the West Windsor native in his youth soccer days in New Jersey prior to coming to Delaware and then ended up recruiting him.

“I have coached Jon since he was 11 years old, and he was one of my first recruits at Delaware,” said Hennessy. “He served both as my captain and worked alongside me as a coach, where he assisted in building Delaware Soccer into a program of national prominence and respect. I cannot put into words how proud I am of Jon.”

In his new role with the Union, Scheer will oversee scouting players in the greater Philadelphia region and in areas around the country not in the so-called catchment areas of other Major League Soccer teams. Players recruited from outside the area either relocate with their families or join the academy’s residency program.