Coaching Carousel

[SimpleCoach]

Not a coaching change, but AD change. Christa Racine moves from Drew University to Haverford College. This is interesting as Racine was a HS All-American right around the corner from Drew and had been at the University for over 30, with two daughters even playing soccer at the school. I wonder what pushed her to the Main Line?

She replaces Danielle Lynch, who moved to Pomona-Pitzer in California, which is also interesting because Lynch was native to NJ as well.

https://www.haverford.edu/marketing-and-communications/news/christa-racine-appointed-haverfords-director-athletics

Maybe has something to do with the bleak financial picture Drew is in?

SC.

[Ron Boerger]

They are in truly terrible shape.  The latest audit is a horror story where the school has the balls to list a <negative> $81 million in assets without donor restrictions - meaning they're spending money they don't have to spend. 

[Kuiper]

Another Director of Soccer position overseeing both men's and women's programs.  This one doesn't appear to be a case where one team's coach will officially coach both teams, but considering the women's team went 0-13-1 last season in the new coach's first year with the team, it suggests that the men's coach will be helping the women's team out a lot.  Considering the men's team only went 3-12-1, though, I'm not sure spreading their coach thinner will help either team.

Keystone Promotes Clint Caso to Director of Soccer with Oversight over Men's and Women's Soccer

Keystone College Athletics has announced the creation of a Director of Soccer role to oversee all aspects of Keystone soccer operations moving forward. Clint Caso to serve as the College's first Director of Soccer, adding to his roles as Head Men's Soccer Coach and Coordinator of Transfer and International Compliance.

The Director of Soccer will provide administrative and strategic leadership for both the men's and women's varsity soccer programs, serving as the chief organizer of the College's overall soccer operation. The position is designed to support continued efforts to build roster depth, strengthen recruiting systems, improve daily program structure, and establish long-term competitive stability.

In collegiate soccer, a Director of Soccer commonly oversees both varsity programs while helping align recruiting, staffing, operations, scheduling, travel, budget planning, and player development standards. At Keystone, the role will provide a unified structure for both programs while supporting the individual needs and competitive goals of each team.

Primary responsibilities will include developing and managing a comprehensive recruiting and scouting plan, coordinating game scheduling and team travel, organizing daily program operations, supporting staff communication, and establishing consistent standards across the men's and women's soccer programs.

The Director of Soccer will also assist with long-term strategic planning, roster management, recruiting boards, campus visits, showcase coverage, facility coordination, equipment needs, compliance communication, and overall program organization.

[jknezek]

Given Keystone's financial issues, I can't believe they can convince anyone to go there.

[Mr_November]

Changes coming to Eastern Mennonite University Men's Soccer...

Carey Steps Down, Swartz Named Interim HC

[SierraFD3soccer]

Changes coming to Eastern Mennonite University Men's Soccer...

Carey Steps Down, Swartz Named Interim HC

EMU has a legit hard schedule. Best of luck - https://emuroyals.com/sports/mens-soccer/schedule

[Ron Boerger]

Changes coming to Eastern Mennonite University Men's Soccer...

Carey Steps Down, Swartz Named Interim HC

"EMU Director of Athletics Carrie S. Bert has announced the resignation of EMU head men's soccer coach, Justin Carey, who is pursuing a Division I coaching opportunity. [...] In his four years at the helm of the Royals, he guided the team to a 21-30-23 record, including a .500 record in each of his last three seasons."

If that's all it takes to get D1 offers, wow.

[Kuiper]

One of the last of a dying breed - a multi-sport college athlete who became Professor of Physical Education and coached not only men's soccer for 35 years, but also women's basketball for 15 years that overlapped when he was coaching soccer.

Maine-Presque Isle Head Soccer Coach Alan Gorden retires after 35 years

One of the most legendary figures in UMPI Athletics History has decided to call it a career. Head Men's Soccer Coach Alan Gordon announced his retirement after more than 40 years involved at UMPI as a student ,athlete, professor, coach, but most notably a wonderful colleague and friend.

Gordon has devoted his life to UMPI, first coming to school in the fall of 1983 after graduating from Dexter Regional High School. He was a standout, three-sport athlete, playing soccer, basketball and baseball for the Owls. In soccer, he was selected to three all-conference teams, 2 NAIA All-District Teams, and was named an NAIA All-American after his senior season. On the basketball floor, Gordon was the team's point guard, leading the Owls to multiple playoff appearances and set a single-season assists record of 261 in his junior year of 1985-86. In 1994, Gordon was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his playing career

After his playing days were over, Gordon then received his Master's degree from Ithaca College in 1988. He began a teaching and coaching career directly after, serving two years as the athletic director, and head coach of boys soccer, girls and boys Basketball, and baseball at Forest Hills Consolidated School in Jackman, Maine.

In 1990, Gordon returned to UMPI as a professor of Physical Education and became the head men's soccer coach in 1991 – a position he would hold for 35 consecutive seasons. During his time coaching Men's soccer, Gordon accumulated 221 wins, including three 12-win seasons in 1996, 2000, and 2008. His most successful team might have been the 1996 team that began the season 12-0, en route to an at-large bid to the NAIA regional tournament.

In addition to Men's Soccer, Gordon was the head coach for 14 years of the Women's Basketball team from 1993-2008 with one year off in between. He had some very successful teams in that span, and coached some of the all-time greats in program history such as Erica (McGary) Tweedie, Lori (Morrow) Joseph, and Rachel (Larlee) Bousquet. Gordon also spent two years coaching Women's Softball in 1991 and 1992. When UMPI became a member of the NCAA in the early 2000's, Gordon served as the Compliance officer, ensuring all athletes and coaches were following NCAA rules and regulations to keep the department in good membership standing.

Beyond UMPI Athletics, Gordon was an instructor of Physical Education for all 36 years, teaching and mentoring many students who went on to have very successful careers in education after UMPI. Coach Gordon hosted Special Olympics activity days for local schools, often with his soccer team playing a major part in the day every year.

Most recently, Gordon was inducted to the Dexter Athletic Hall of Fame for his contributions as an athlete in high school, as well as his more-than successful UMPI playing and coaching career.
More notable than all of his many accolades and successful coaching seasons, Coach Gordon will best be remembered for his absolute devotion to this school, and his student athletes. His steadfastness within the department for 36 years will be greatly missed.

[Kuiper]

Nate Bell, the CUNYAC Coach of the Year in 2025 at Brooklyn College, leaves for DI Long Island University

Nate Bell has been named Long Island University's new Head Men's Soccer Coach, Director of Athletics Elliott Charles announced Thursday.

"Coach Bell emerged as the best candidate to continue our rich legacy of LIU men's soccer and he is committed to the growth of our soccer brand on Long Island and throughout the metropolitan area.  We are excited to have him back as we push to greater heights," Charles said.

This marks a return to LIU's men's soccer for Bell, who served as lead assistant in Brooklyn for LIU's DI men's soccer program from 2014-17. The coach's first LIU tenure was highlighted by an NEC Title (and subsequent NCAA Tournament appearance) in 2015. Bell also went on to help ten student-athletes earn end-of-season awards and/or All-Conference selections 

Most recently, Bell was head men's soccer coach at Brooklyn College, where he won CUNYAC Coach of the Year in 2025 after leading the team to its first regular season title in 44 years (with a 10-6-1 record) while recruiting and coaching the CUNYAC Player and Rookie of the Year.

Additionally, Bell is the Founder and President of Brooklyn United Academy, one of the largest and highest-level youth soccer programs in the Northeast. The program, which competes in MLSNext, now boasts over 3,000 players after beginning with just seven in 2012.

The veteran coach has also worked in the New York Red Bulls youth academy and has lived and coached in the academy of Dinamo Zagreb. As a player, Bell previously suited up for NK Maksimir, Croatia's third division. 

"It is an honor to become the next head coach of the Sharks," Coach Bell said. "I want to thank President Cline and Elliott Charles for entrusting me with the leadership of this historic program. LIU has a rich soccer tradition and alumni who have made lasting impacts in the sport and in their industries." He added, "I am proud to follow in the footsteps of the many great coaches who built this program's tradition and am committed to honoring that legacy while building toward the highest level this program has ever reached."

With a M.S. in Sports Psychology and a B.A. in Creative Writing, both from Ithaca College, Bell has taught graduate Sports Psychology classes at LIU.

[Kuiper]

Pablo Arriaga Named New Knox College Men's Soccer Coach

Knox College Athletics is pleased to announce the hiring of Pablo Arriaga as the next head coach of the Prairie Fire men's soccer program.

Arriaga joins Knox after serving as an assistant men's soccer coach at Wheaton College. He replaces Tyler Sheikh, who had to step away for an opportunity to return to his home state of Connecticut.

"While the timing of our coaching transition was unexpected, it also created an opportunity to identify the right leader for the future of Knox men's soccer," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Justin Newell. "Pablo emerged as the clear choice throughout our search. He has built a reputation as an outstanding recruiter, a strong developer of student-athletes, and a coach who understands what it takes to be successful in the Midwest. His passion for building relationships, commitment to the student-athlete experience, and vision for the future of our program made a tremendous impression on our search committee. We are thrilled to welcome Pablo to Knox College and excited about the future of Knox men's soccer under his leadership."

Widely regarded as a rising coach in the region, Arriaga has been part of successful programs at Wheaton, Elmhurst, and Greenville, earning recognition for his ability to recruit top talent, foster player development, and build strong team cultures.

As a student-athlete, Arriaga played four years of collegiate soccer at Vanguard University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology.

[Kuiper]

The NCAA tournament may not have started, but the Coaching Carousel is up and running again

East Texas Baptist Head Coach Chris Crawford Retires and Associate Head Coach Jordan Burke Promoted

East Texas Baptist University Head Men's Soccer Coach Chris Crawford has announced his retirement from collegiate coaching but will continue serving as Assistant Vice President for University Operations at ETBU.  Jordan Burke, who has served as Associate Head Men's Soccer Coach for the past three seasons, has been named the new head coach effective immediately.
 
"I am beyond thankful to Coach Crawford and his commitment to building and maintaining a Christ-centered culture within the ETBU Soccer program over the past three years.  His unwavering pursuit of integrating athletics, faith, and academics with his student-athletes is exactly what we desire from our coaching staff at ETBU," Senior Vice President for Campus Life Ryan Erwin said. 
 
Crawford has served as head coach for six years, coaching 2016-18 and 2024-26, earning 51 wins and leading the program to its first two NCAA Division III postseason victories. He has produced 31 All-ASC players, including three ASC Freshmen of the Year and two Offensive Players of the Year.  One of the top seasons in program history in the NCAA Division III era came in 2018 with 10 wins. ETBU's success in the past three years has included two ASC Offensive Players of the Year, Junior Lopez and Joshua Daley.
 
"I am beyond grateful to have been given the opportunity to lead this program twice at ETBU.  The bonds that were created with current players, former players, and all the coaches in my time will be something I cherish forever.  Stepping down from coaching is something that is extremely hard and painful, but when the Lord calls you to go where you need to go you must follow.  I am looking forward to being a dad and husband and spending time with my family," says Crawford. "I am excited about the future of ETBU Men's Soccer under Coach Burke's leadership and can't wait to cheer them on.  Go Tigers."
 
Taking over for ETBU is a familiar face in Burke, who has been on the sideline as the Associate Head Coach for the past three years.  His recruiting efforts have helped ETBU to 26 wins over the past three years, along with numerous ASC awards.  In addition, he served as an assistant coach at ETBU from 2020-2022.  Burke played for the Tigers from 2014-2018 starting in 63 games and serving as a three-year captain for ETBU.  He was also a three-time ASC All-Academic honoree, a three-time All-ASC award winner, and was ETBU's nominee for the ASC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Award in 2018.  Burke and his wife, Kennedy, who serves as the Head Girls' Soccer Coach at Marshall High School, reside in Marshall and attend New Beginnings Baptist Church.