Rally Madison FC, the USL W League Club, announced today that Aaron Hohlbein has been named Head Coach ahead of the club’s second-ever season in 2027. Hohlbein will also continue to serve as the Academy Director of both Rally Madison FC and Forward Madison FC.
Hohlbein brings extensive soccer experience as both a player and coach, along with deep ties to the Madison community. A Middleton native, Hohlbein played youth soccer in the area, starring at Middleton High School, before continuing his career at the University of Wisconsin — Madison. He went on to play professionally in Major League Soccer with the Kansas City Wizards, now Sporting Kansas City, for four seasons before spending time with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. After his professional career, Hohlbein returned to Wisconsin, spending eight seasons as a UW men’s soccer assistant coach.
Aaron Hohlbein joined the organization in 2023, leading the club’s youth programming, including the development of the club’s boys and girls academy program that now serves a combined 450 players. In addition to his new role with Rally Madison FC, Hohlbein will continue serving as the Academy Director for both Forward Madison and Rally Madison FC and will strengthen the pathway from the academy to the first team, creating opportunities for players to train and compete at higher levels. As the club continues to grow, Hohlbein sees Rally players as important role models for the next generation of female soccer players in the Madison community.
“I’m thrilled to be joining Rally as the Head Coach and to pick up where the staff left off last year,” said Hohlbein. “They did a great job getting the club up and running. I’m excited to build on that and move things in a positive direction.”
Hohlbein has also served as an assistant coach on the men’s side, where his relationship with Forward Madison FC Head Coach Matt Glaeser spans multiple chapters of his soccer career. Hohlbein now brings lessons from their time together into his new role with Rally Madison. “Having learned from Forward Madison FC Head Coach, Matt Glaeser, over the last few years, adaptability and joy are two core values I want to instill in our group. We want our players to enjoy the game while learning to adapt, overcome challenges and find success together,” said Hohlbein.
As Rally Madison enters its next chapter, Hohlbein’s goals extend beyond results on the field. He hopes to build a team that competes for championships while representing the values of the Madison community and providing a meaningful example for the players developing within the academy. Hohlbein describes the next chapter of Rally Madison as “exciting, joyful, and ambitious.”
