Staff Directory

Zack Schilawski

Title:
Assistant Coach/Director of Player Development
Phone:
919-818-5413

Former Wake Forest national champion and one of the most accomplished players in program history, Zack Schilawski returned to his alma mater as assistant coach in 2026.

Schilawski came back to Winston-Salem after spending two successful seasons on staff at the University of Pittsburgh, where he helped establish the Panthers as one of the nation’s elite programs. Working closely with Pitt’s attacking players, Schilawski helped guide the Panthers to the 2024 ACC Regular Season Championship, the first in program history, and a trip to the NCAA Quarterfinals. Pitt earned the No. 2 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and went undefeated against nationally-ranked opponents during the regular season.
During his time at Pitt, Schilawski helped develop multiple All-ACC performers and professional-level talent, including 2025 MLS SuperDraft selection Michael Sullivan.

Before joining the Panthers, Schilawski spent two seasons at University of North Carolina Wilmington, where he helped lead the Seahawks to a strong run in the Colonial Athletic Association while developing MLS SuperDraft selection Bachir Ndiaye and several all-conference performers. Schilawski also previously served as an assistant coach at University of Denver, helping the Pioneers capture a Summit League regular season title during the spring 2021 campaign.

One of the greatest players in Wake Forest history, Schilawski starred for the Demon Deacons from 2006-10 under head coach Jay Vidovich. He appeared in a program-record 99 career matches and finished his collegiate career with 100 career points on 40 goals and 20 assists.

Schilawski etched his name permanently into Wake Forest history when he scored the game-winning goal in the 2007 NCAA College Cup Final against Ohio State, delivering the program’s first national championship.

As a senior in 2009, Schilawski earned Third Team All-America honors after leading the ACC in goals and points. A standout student-athlete as well, he was a two-time Academic All-American, a member of the NSCAA/adidas Scholar All-America First Team and a finalist for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award.

Following his collegiate career, Schilawski was selected ninth overall in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft by the New England Revolution. He scored five goals during his rookie campaign and became the first rookie in MLS history to record a hat trick in his home debut.

Schilawski also spent two seasons with the Carolina RailHawks before transitioning into law and coaching. A graduate of Wake Forest in 2010, Schilawski later earned his law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law and practiced family law in North Carolina prior to returning full-time to the collegiate soccer coaching ranks.