Friday, February 15, 2013

PORTLAND, Ore. - Greg Brisbon has been named the new head men’s soccer coach at Western Washington University, Director of Athletics Lynda Goodrich announced Friday.

Brisbon, a long-time assistant for both the men’s and women’s programs, takes over the men’s head coaching position as part of a restructuring of the soccer program.

Travis Connell, who has been the head coach for the men’s program since 1999, will retain his role as women’s head coach.

Brisbon, 38, came to WWU as an assistant coach in 2000 and except for a one-year absence in 2011, has held the title of associate head coach since 2004.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to be a head coach at Western,” said Brisbon. “I’ve been an assistant for quite a while, and I think I’m ready to be head coach now. I’m looking forward to the new challenges while also keeping the traditions we’ve instilled over the past years while working with Travis.”

Brisbon, who possesses a United States Soccer Federation National A coaching license, the top coaching credential that can be earned in North America. He spent most of 2011 on the staff of Crossfire Premier soccer club, coaching the U20 Super League team as well as multiple youth squads.

“We’re very excited to have Greg as our new head men’s soccer coach,” Goodrich said. “He’s a well-qualified, experienced coach who has been a big part of our program and has shown that he’s ready to take that step up. 

“College soccer has been moving away from the model of having one coach overseeing both programs and we believed that not only was this a good time to make the switch, but that we had the right person in place for it.”

Brisbon is a graduate of Seattle Pacific University, where he lettered two years for the Falcons. He also played professionally for the Tallahassee Scorpions in 1998.

Connell leaves the men’s post as the winningest coach in school history, having a 117-115-15 record in 14 seasons.  He is entering his 11th season as women’s coach, where he has a 105-52-19 mark and guided the Vikings to the round of 16 in last year’s NCAA Division II National Tournament.