Ali Hanif is in his first season as an assistant coach for Illinois State, as of the 2021-22 academic year. Hanif primarily works with goalkeepers, in addition to work with film analysis and set plays.

Hanif has spent the last two years at MidAmerica Nazarene University (KS) as an assistant coach. Additionally, he has served as the director of goalkeeping at Kansas City Athletics SC (ECNL) and the Kansas ODP as a goalkeeper coach for the past three seasons. In total, Ali has 14-years of coaching experience at various levels of the game in England and the United States.

During his time with MidAmerica Nazarene, he oversaw the goalkeepers, including program standout Kailee Barnhard who, in her sophomore year won numerous Conference defensive player of the week awards as well as national defensive player of the week award. Ali helped the program make it to the opening round of nationals for only their 2nd time in program history and in both seasons making the conference tournament. At the club level with KC Athletics, Ali has helped numerous goalkeepers make college commitments over the years, throughout the country. In 2017 AIi Joined the WPSL Staff at GSI/KC Athletics Pride for 2 seasons (2017 and 2018) working with current NWSL KC head coach Huw Williams and former Kansas University assistant coach Derek Shoare. 

From 2008- 2018, Ali was on staff with Manchester United FC, working with various programs/ areas of the club, who gave him his coaching start back in 2008. From 2012- 2017 Ali was on staff with Loreto College (Manchester, England) as the assistant coach & head coach with the men’s program.

A native of Manchester, England, he attended Manchester Metropolitan University and gained a Bachelors in Coaching and Sports Development in 2015. Ali holds his USSF C Licence, UEFA C Licence, and English FA and Scottish FA Goalkeeping Licences.