Coach Jared McFarland is entering his first year on the women’s coaching staff, but is a well known name around Grace Christian University. Jared is a 2011 graduate of Orchard View High School. Coming out of high school, Jared was widely recruited as a player, with Grace being one of his suitors. Jared would play his first year at Spring Arbor University, before transferring to play at a year at Grace Christian University (then Grace Bible). After suffering knee injuries, Jared halted his playing career, turning his attention to the coaching world. Coach McFarland has coached for 10 years at the club level with West Michigan Storm, now Michigan Futbol Academy (MFA) Northshore. He has built a large amount of success in the women’s coaching world, including winning the Michigan State Cup with his 08 Team in 2023 as well as bringing his 06 girls to the 2023 State Cup Final becoming Runners Up. In addition to coaching the girls sides for WM Storm/MFA Northshore, he also coaches a 08 Boys team.
Jared has also coached high school girls soccer for 5 years. As an assistant head coach at Muskegon Catholic Central for 2 years, Jared helped make it to the Michigan State Semi Final in his first year and to the District Final in his second year. He then took over at Western Michigan Christian going into his 3rd year, 2nd as the head coach. On the professional side, Jared coached semi-pro Grand Haven Admirals, and also spent 2 years coaching at Muskegon Community College.
Jared and his wife, Onica, have been married for 10 years and have two boys, Dempsey and Beckham.
“I have known Jared for nearly 15 years. I recruited Jared out of high school and had the privilege to coach him for a year," said Men's Soccer Head/Director of Soccer at Grace Coach Dustin Buchanan. "One thing that always stood out to me about Jared is his character, care for people and his understanding of the game with the ability to apply it. We have had a strong friendship over the years and I have watched him become a top coach in the area who impacts those around him, a man of faith, and a loving husband and father. He was a solid player in his own right, but coaching is his calling. He has a wealth of experience in coaching women’s soccer from club, high school, college and professional levels. With Jared, not only do you have a very high level of coach, but you have a man who loves God, loves Grace Christian University and cares about his players way beyond the soccer field. He is an absolute perfect fit for us here and I am excited to see all he contributes to the GCU women’s program."
