Thank You, Coach Hadzic

November 18, 2021

XHS head boys soccer coach, Amir Hadzic, will be stepping away from his coaching duties at Xavier effective immediately. The transition will allow Coach Hadzic to undergo, and recover from, two much-needed hip replacement procedures in the coming months.

Coach Hadzic, who has served as Xavier's varsity boys soccer coach for the past 15 years, has led the program to 13 state tournament appearances, five state titles (2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2021) and an overall record of 161-60-3 during his tenure. He also serves as the head men's soccer coach for Mount Mercy University, a position he has held for the past 26 seasons.

Coach Hadzic has earned a very special place in the hearts of our Xavier family. He is a beloved fixture in the Xavier community. Under his leadership, our soccer program has earned much success, but it's also clear to see the immense impact he's had on our students over the years. We see that through the positive, lasting relationships he's built with them not only as a coach, but also as a mentor.

"I am so humbled by my experience at Xavier which, in many ways, defined me as a coach. I worked with so many unbelievably talented athletes, met so many amazing families whose support and friendship were second to none, fellow coaches from other Xavier activities who kept setting a high bar for all of us, school administrators and colleagues who empowered us to have such great success over the years. I know I will physically not be there every day but I will keep my Xavier family in my heart forever."

~Coach Hadzic

Sho Takaoka, who has served as a Xavier boys soccer assistant coach for the past three years, will now assume head coaching duties at Xavier. He will be joined by current assistant coach, Nikola Petrovic.

Takaoka, a native of Japan, played four seasons for Mount Mercy University Men's Soccer and was part of the Mustang's 2015 NAIA national tournament team. He has served as a coach at Mount Mercy for five years, including two years as a graduate assistant and currently as the full-time assistant coach. At the high school level, Takaoka has previously served on the coaching staff at Linn-Mar High School (2018). Petrovic, a native of Belgrade, Serbia, played two seasons for Mount Mercy Soccer after transferring from Hawkeye Community College. Petrovic is in his second season as a graduate assistant for Mount Mercy's men's soccer program.

Hadzic, Takaoka, and Petrovic will continue to serve in their various coaching capacities for Mount Mercy University.

Coach Hadzic has given so much to Xavier. His story is inspirational and serves as a reminder of the preciousness of life. These upcoming procedures will allow him to once again get the full enjoyment out of life as a coach and, more importantly, as a father. The Xavier family wishes Coach all the best, holds him in our prayers -- he will forever be a Saint!