Go WEST young man (and NORTH)

[Kuiper]

Lewis & Clark snares a D2 transfer, which may be a first for the program that looked like it was on the verge of getting its first win a couple of times last season. Zac Levin, a striker from Westminster University in Utah who was a 2-time all-Oregon player in HS, announced the move on his Instagram page.

[Ron Boerger]

UDallas removes the interim tag from now HC Chase Reynolds, stating "he successfully completed his first season at the helm and laid a strong foundation for cultural growth and long-term success within the Crusader program."  The Crusaders were 0-15-1, 0-11 SCAC, in his first season and were outscored 67-8.  A scoreless tie at NCCAA Dallas Christian, in which keeper Andres San Ramon made 19 saves, was the sole highlight of the season. 

[Kuiper]

UDallas removes the interim tag from now HC Chase Reynolds, stating "he successfully completed his first season at the helm and laid a strong foundation for cultural growth and long-term success within the Crusader program."  The Crusaders were 0-15-1, 0-11 SCAC, in his first season and were outscored 67-8.  A scoreless tie at NCCAA Dallas Christian, in which keeper Andres San Ramon made 19 saves, was the sole highlight of the season. 

Maybe "laid a strong foundation" means he successfully recruited enough players for next season to meet his quota?

[Ron Boerger]

Maybe they're looking at what Matt Walker did at UW-RF yesterday - his teams were a combined 3-27 his first three seasons but won the football championship the first time they made the playoffs in his fifteen years there. 

[Kuiper]

For all of its faults, FloSoccer does repost on Instagram some highlights in the offseason that are pretty cool.  I saw this goal from Pomona-Pitzer's Aidan MacLennan against Occidental in real time and it is still a beaut.  Oxy had two cameras and the field-level camera was perfectly positioned to get the behind-the-shooter angle on this one.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DT--OA7DtUO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

[Kuiper]

Big news out of Redlands!  I think some people assumed the job would go to a Redlands alum or someone with more connection to the program.  It will be interesting to see how Ortega does with the cross-country move given that most of his experience has been in New England with only a short time in Virginia.  Nevertheless, I'm sure he'll settle in pretty quickly.  Redlands is a great job and he is in the middle of a very fertile territory for recruiting that has trod many times while at Amherst.

Redlands names Amherst assistant coach Alex Ortega as new Men's Soccer Head Coach

The University of Redlands is pleased to announce the hiring of Alex Ortega as the new Head Coach of its men's soccer program. Alex brings a proven track record of success at the collegiate level, exceptional leadership, and a passion for mentoring student-athletes as the Bulldogs prepare for the next chapter of their program.
 
"Redlands has a proud tradition of developing competitive, well-rounded student-athletes, and we are committed to building on that legacy," said University of Redlands President Krista Newkirk. "We are thrilled to welcome Coach Ortega into our community and look forward to seeing men's soccer continue to grow and succeed under his leadership."
 
Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics, Nikki Ayers added, "This was a highly competitive national search, and throughout the process, Alex consistently distinguished himself through his experience, leadership, and commitment to student-athlete success that make him well-suited to guide the program into the future."
 
Alex joins the Bulldogs from Amherst College, where he served as Assistant Men's Soccer Coach and helped lead the team to unprecedented successes, including back-to-back NESCAC Championships in 2022 and 2023, an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in 2022, a national runner-up finish in 2023, and the 2024 National Championship. He has also coached at Randolph-Macon College in Virginia, Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, and Colby-Sawyer College in New London, New Hampshire, earning a reputation for fostering excellence, teamwork, and student-athlete growth.
 
"I'd like to thank Vice President Ayers and the entire search committee for their efforts throughout the hiring process," said Ortega. "It is an honor and a privilege to be selected to lead the next chapter of Redlands men's soccer and continue the longstanding success the program has seen under Coach Perez. I'm excited to begin working with this group and immerse myself in the Redlands community."
 
This announcement coincides with a moment of change for the men's soccer program, as the University celebrates the retirement of Coach Ralph Perez, who has led the team for 19 remarkable years and enjoyed an amazing career spanning more than 50 years in the sport. 

"It has been an honor to coach at Redlands and be part of the incredible Bulldog community. I am confident that I am leaving the program in very capable hands, and I look forward to watching Coach Ortega and the team prosper in the years ahead," said Coach Perez.

The Bulldogs enter this next chapter with strong momentum, coming off a 9-7-4 overall record and a 6-3-3 SCIAC record, earning co-champion status in the conference in the most recent season.

[Ron Boerger]

That may be an all-time record for most distant D3 soccer coaching move - 2880 miles according to Google Maps!  YMMV due to traffic ...