Bio

Christian Villi enters his first season as the assistant coach with the Columbia College (SC) men’s soccer program.  Villi bring a vast knowledge of soccer to the Koala’s program.

Born and raised in Forli’ Italy, Villi began playing soccer at a young age. He began playing in the local youth leagues, up to semi-pro with Colonna 86.

At age 16, Villi started alternating between playing and coaching at the professional club Calcio Forli’s youth academy. After moving to the Bahamas to work in his family business, he continued to play in the National League for Grasshoppers Football Club (FC), earning Rookie of the Year honors in 1994.  In 2005 he was a member of the National Championship Team with Caledonia Celtics FC.

In 2007, Villi returned to coaching, guiding FC Nassau men’s team to a Third-Place finish in the National League. He worked for 10 years as a physical education and swimming teacher at Tambearly International School in Nassau, Bahamas.  While at Tambearly, Villi directed the youth soccer program and collaborated with numerous other clubs to develop coaching education.

Between 2009-2014, he was the head coach of the Bahamas Men’s Beach Soccer National Team, earning two Confederation of North, Central American, and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) World Cup qualifiers.

Villi holds a US Soccer ‘C’ National License and Beach Soccer FIFA and CONCACAF coaching and refereeing certificates.