Kaplan's teams have also excelled in the classroom. Last season, his squad put together a 3.57 grade-point average, ranking third nationally of all NAIA women's soccer programs. During the 2006-07 academic year, Reinhardt earned the seventh highest team GPA in the NAIA. His 2007, 2008 and 2009 squads also earned NAIA Scholar Team distinction. Kaplan has also coached several players who have received NAIA Scholar-Athlete accolades.

Before coming to Reinhardt, Kaplan was a history teacher and boys soccer coach at Marietta (Ga.) High School for 11 years. He acquired his bachelor's degree in 1990 from Macalester College, where he was a four-year starter on the men's soccer team. Kaplan went on to earn a master's degree at Boston University.