Gregory Winkler - HOPE / PE Coach

With more than 30 years of experience as an educator, coach and administrator, Greg Winkler is currently  head coach of the boys soccer team at Charlotte High School in Punta Gorda, Fla., the same city in which he serves as a physical education teacher at the Charlotte Campus of Florida SouthWestern State College. A decorated soccer coach in the state of Wisconsin, Winkler was named to the Wisconsin Soccer Association Hall of Fame’s Class of 2015 and the Wisconsin Soccer Hall of Fame’s Class of 2017, recognizing a coaching career that included more than 400 wins at both the youth and high school levels. In 2018, he was named to the Fond du Lac High School Athletic Hall of Fame, where he enjoyed a 17-year coaching career (1998-2014) that saw him amass the most wins in program history (264). Among Winkler’s many achievements are the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Coach of the Year Award in 2012 in addition to a trio of United Soccer Coaches, Midwest Regional Coach of the Year Awards (2001, 2004, 2012) and three Fox Valley Association (FVA) Coach of the Year honors. He was also recognized as the Wisconsin Large School Coach of the Year in 2004, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Coach of the Year in 2005 and the State Youth Coach of the Year in 2006. His passion for enhancing the game of soccer in the state extended to all facets of the sport, leading to his involvement as a referee trainer for the Wisconsin Youth Referee Association and a four-year term as President of the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association (2002-06), where he was also a Director from 2002-14. Winkler worked with the United Soccer Coaches as the State Technical Director for Wisconsin from 2010-13 and has continued his work with the national organization as the high school chair on the advocacy council, a position he’s held since 2013. In 2017, he published a revised edition of his 2009 book, “Coaching a Season of Significance,” which has been hailed as “a valuable resource for coaches of any sport” and draws upon Winkler’s vast experiences to aid coaches in overcoming obstacles on their way to a significant season. Winkler has presented at coaching and athletic director conferences on a variety of topics, ranging from building relationships through athletics to engaging in effective communication with parents and administrators.
A native of Rosendale, WI., Winkler earned a degree in Secondary Education from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 1982 and a Master’s degree in Sports Management from American Public University in 2013. He is a Certified Athletic Administrator and holds a United States Soccer Federation D License as well as United Soccer Coaches, Premier, Advanced National and National Diplomas. Greg and his wife, Vikki, were recognized as Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association Parents of the Year in 2002. Greg and Vikki  published in March 2019, “Welcome To Florida” WTF, a humorous story about their adventures and surprises they encountered when they moved to Florida.  Greg also writes a monthly column for “The Parrot” magazine. They have four sons: Bart, (Nikol), Brett, Brock, (Angie) Brent and 3 grandchildren.