Umar enters his second season with the Nittany Lions after serving as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Washington University in St. Louis, where he began in 2021. Prior to his time in St. Louis, he spent just over one year in Radnor, Pa serving as an assistant coach at Cabrini.
In Umar's first season with Penn State, he helped lead the team to a Big Ten Regular Season title and its 15th Big Ten Tournament Final appearance. He helped coach four All-Big Ten honorees and Olympian Mohamed Cisset who will represent Mali at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
After a decorated division I playing career at Villanova University where he was a two-time captain while making three Big East Tournament appearances, Umar began his professional career with Richmond Kickers Soccer Club in USL League One. Umar transition to the USL Championship League to play for St. Louis Football Club in 2019.
Umar was a four-year starter and two-time team captain at Villanova. He was named to the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team in 2011, Third Team All-Conference in 2012 and the Philly Soccer 6 All-Star Team in 2014. The talented young coach earned the title of the Wildcat’s Most Valuable Player in 2013. Villanova made three Big East Tournament appearances during Umar’s career at the school.