Coaching Staff

Julio Castillo | Assistant Coach

Julio Castillo enters his sixth season as an assistant coach with NNU in the fall of 2024.

A 2015 graduate of Northwest Nazarene, rejoined the NNU men's soccer staff in 2021 after spending two seasons as an assistant at nearby College of Idaho.

Castillo had previously been an assistant with the Nighthawks in the 2017 and 2018 seasons. He starred for NNU as an athlete in 2014 and 2015, winning the GNAC Player of the Year award and being named a Second Team All-American his senior year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. He was also the GNAC Newcomer of the Year as a junior and made the NSCAA All-America first team.

Before NNU he played two years at Arizona Western College where he was all-conference twice, all-region twice, and was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-America first team.

He started his playing career at the Monterrey Academy in Mexico, playing for the Under-15 and Under-17 Mexican National Team. He later played for the Under-20 US National Team. He also played professionally with Savsjo in Sweden.

Castillo played club ball for the PDL Burlingame Dragons in 2015, as well as various appearances for the Under-20 "Rayados de Monterrey" Reserve team, the third-division "Halcones de Tijuana," the first, second and third divisions in "Rayados de Monterrey" Reserve team and the Under-17 in "Rayados de Monterrey" Reserve team.

Castillo scored five goals and had 24 assists in 36 matches at NNU and was a team captain and starter both years.

Dane Manley | Assistant Coach

Dane Manley begins his 14th season as an assistant coach with the Nighthawks in the 2024-25 academic year.

He serves as recruiting coordinator and co-director of camps for the men's soccer program.  

Manley, who played as a defender and midfielder for Northwest Nazarene from 2007-09, earned his Masters degree in Special Education from NNU in 2015. He taught at a high school in the area for a number of years, and now owns and operates his own business. 

Matt Kesler | Assistant Coach

Matt Kesler enters his fourth season with NNU men's soccer in the fall of 2024.

He primarily serves as the goalkeeper coach for the men’s soccer program.

Prior to NNU, Kesler worked with goalkeepers at various levels ranging from USL Championship, NCAA DII, high school, and club.

His playing career involved a 4-year stint at NCAA DII program Union University. Afterwards, he went on to play for USL League Two side Cincinnati Dutch Lions, and he spent a month on trial with FC Cincinnati of the MLS.

Kesler holds his USSF National “C” License, United Soccer Coaches Advanced National Diploma, and United Soccer Coaches Goalkeeping Level 1 Diploma.