PHOENIX – When four family members are all at the same college and playing one sport, one can be forgiven for assuming it was a reunion plan that was years in the making.
That is not the case with the Kiefer family at Grand Canyon University, where George Kiefer is now in his second season coaching the men’s soccer team that includes his freshmen twins Jack and Max. And their older sister, Kendall Kiefer, is a junior on the women’s team.
However, this family affair is actually the opposite of what George expected, especially for the twins.
“Ironically, the plan was for them not to play (for me),” George said. “I was actually looking at different offers on my whiteboard for them from different places.”
Jack and Max were on board with that idea, even going so far as to take recruiting trips to other schools with their dad accompanying them.
“Our goal was never actually to play for him,” said Max, a forward. “Once we started to get better, and college started to become an option, we were emailing every school except my dad’s school.”
After coaching for 14 years at South Florida and then seven seasons at North Carolina State, George took over the men’s soccer program at GCU in December 2023, far away from Jack and Max in North Carolina.
That separation was the catalyst for the dramatic change of plans.
“I think, had I not been away for six months without them, I think if I was with them instead, they would be playing somewhere else,” George said. “The fact is that I went away, and we missed each other.”
For Kendall, who began her career at USF thanks to her dad’s history there, her reason for transferring to GCU in 2024 mimics the reason her brothers felt drawn to the Valley.
Family.
“I chose to go and play at USF in the beginning of my career because that is where (my dad) coached and where we all grew up,” said Kendall, a defender. “Jack and Max were committed (to GCU), and my dad had gotten the job here, and I had torn my ACL for the second time.
“So I wanted to be closer to my family. I’m very family-oriented.”
Soccer is a focal point in the Kiefer family, and helps harbor their bond. So far, it has been a successful reunion.
GCU’s men are 8-3-4 heading into Saturday’s home game against UNLV, before the WAC Tournament begins Nov. 9. The women’s season, meanwhile, came to an abrupt end last Sunday when the Lopes and Colorado College drew 0-0 on GCU’s Senior Day, dropping GCU to 8-8-2 and out of contention for a spot in the Mountain West Championship tournament.
With the Lopes women’s and men’s teams sharing space at GCU Stadium throughout the season, the Kiefer clan didn’t need to travel far to cheer for each other.
“I think all of our lives revolve around (soccer), but I think it really does bring us all together,” Kendall said.
Naturally, there was plenty of competition between the siblings on the soccer pitch while they were growing up, but that competition gradually morphed into a support system.
“We always grew up playing together in the backyard,” Kendall said. “I think we are very competitive, but as we have gotten older, I think we have more just supported each other. I don’t think we need to compete as much. I think they’ve got me beat.”
With all three at GCU together, their bond has strengthened, and the support they provide for each other persists as they continue to progress through the soccer ranks.
“I think I’ve gotten so much closer with my brothers because of it, and we are all very family-oriented,” Kendall said. “I cook them dinner once a week. I love seeing them. They’ve truly become my best friends, and I think it is great.”
Because their convergence at one school was never the plan, they are savoring their time together even more.
“It is a very special thing,” Max said. “I would have never thought that, when I was going to college, I would be playing on the same team as my brother, my sister would be on the women’s team and my dad would be my coach.”
Given the number of different paths any of the Kiefers could have pursued that would have made being together at GCU a moot point, they recognize how fortunate they are.
“The word that comes to mind is just extremely grateful,” said Jack, a defender. “I really can’t think of anyone else (in this type of situation).”
Although George Kiefer never expected to coach his sons, when he realized he would be, he wanted to learn all he could about handling the challenge.
“It is tricky, and I would say I have talked to a lot of coaches with kids on their team,” George said. “John Kerr at Duke has both kids there. There are four or five coaches that have done this, and I just got advice from them on how to go about it.
“I never anticipated both would start this year. There are no guarantees that they will start, even against San Jose,” he said, referring to the Lopes’ 1-1 draw with the Spartans Oct. 18.
“I have got to make sure that I am not too tough on them, but clearly everyone is looking at my decisions with my kids, and I am conscious of that.”
George’s diligence appears to be paying off.
“Honestly, I do not think it is that much different than a normal coach,” Jack said. “We set the standard of how he is going to be our coach, and there is no bias or family stuff.”
Max said their teammates also seem to have adjusted.
“The team has been really accepting about it,” Max said. “I would say it is very normal now.”
There are, however, still moments where the father-son dynamic is evident on the field.
“When I am on the field, I view him as ‘Coach,’” Max said. “Sometimes, when I am yelling on the field, I’m screaming ‘Dad!’ instead of ‘Coach!’ It is funny to think about.”
Off the field, having the entire family in the same city has been beneficial for all, as it has been much easier for everyone, including mother Lauren, to watch Kendall, Jack and Max play.
“It has been a joy to have all of us together,” George said. “We’ve been through a lot, and it has been really helpful.
“(Lauren) loves it. If all three kids were in different places, she’d have to pick one to watch. She gets to watch the boys at the same time, and then Kendall when she plays.”
It may have come as a surprise to the Kiefers to all end up in the same place at GCU, but perhaps it shouldn’t have.
After all, as Jack and Max both put it, “Family comes first.”
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