Elmira Announces Appointment of Kevin Brenner as Head Men's Soccer Coach
ELMIRA, N.Y. -- Pat Thompson, Elmira College Vice President of Athletics, announced the appointment of
Kevin Brenner as Head Men's Soccer Coach.
"We are excited to welcome
Kevin Brenner to our staff as head men's soccer coach," said Thompson. "His previous recruiting and coaching experience transitions favorably to the direction of our soccer program moving forward, both on and off the field."
"I want to thank the Elmira College Athletics leadership, Pat Thompson and the entire selection committee for the opportunity to lead the EC men's soccer program," added Brenner. "I am beyond excited to join this incredible athletic department that is investing in its student-athletes and programs. I share their passion for the program and excitement for this new era of Elmira College soccer. I'm honored by their selection and look forward to getting started."
Brenner comes to Elmira with a wide range of coaching experience at each level of NCAA men's soccer (I, II & III), with his most recent head coaching responsibilities at Division II Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio.
During his two-year stint with Lake Erie, Brenner amassed a 15-16-6 overall record and helped guide the Storm to back-to-back Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) postseason bids. In 2015, Brenner led Lake Erie to a third-place regular-season finish and the program's first-ever GLIAC championship appearance.
The 2016 season saw Brenner's Storm open the year with team's best start in program history at 5-1-0, before concluding the season with an 8-7-4 record, the second-most victories in single-season program history. Fueling the team's run were its efforts on defense, as the Storm ranked inside the top-11 in the nation in several statistical categories, including shutouts (3rd), goals-against average (4th), save percentage (9th) and shutout percentage (11th). That same year, six of his players received All-GLIAC and All-Tournament Team honors. Additionally, Lake Erie was the only institution to have a freshman receive First-Team accolades.
Over his two-year stay at Lake Erie, Brenner coached 14 All-GLIAC honorees, including the 2016 GLIAC Goalkeeper of the Year and the 2015 GLIAC Defensive Player of the Year. Accolades extended to the team level as well, as his 2015 squad received the NSCAA All-Academic Team Award with an impressive grade point average of 3.41.
Prior to his time at Lake Erie, Brenner served as an assistant coach at Division I University at Buffalo from 2014-15. As Buffalo's top assistant, he developed the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Rookie of the Year and placed eight players on the All-MAC Academic Team. His recruitment and development of several key players was instrumental in setting the stage for back-to-back MAC Tournament appearances in 2015 and 2016. One of the key players during Buffalo's playoff run was Russell Cicerone, who is projected to be a first-round draft pick in the upcoming Major League Soccer (MLS) draft.
Brenner's Division I coaching experience also includes a four-year stint as an assistant coach under former Soaring Eagle and current Canisius College Head Coach, Dermot McGrane '94, from 2010-14. The Golden Griffins reached several new heights during Brenner's tenure, including the best start to a season in program history, the longest unbeaten streak and the longest winning streak in Canisius history, all of which took place during the 2012 campaign; the Griffs also received votes in the NSCAA National Coaches Poll during that season. Brenner was also responsible for recruiting and developing standout talisman Asani Samuels, who would later go on to play professionally for the Rochester Rhinos of the United Soccer League (USL).
Earlier in his coaching career, Brenner served as the assistant coach for his alma mater, Division III Buffalo State, from 2005-10. His six-season appointment saw the Bengals produce their highest winning percentage in 23 years. During that time, Buffalo State qualified for two SUNYAC postseason tournaments, placed seven players on the All-SUNYAC Team and had 10 student-athletes earn All-SUNYAC Academic Team accolades.
Brenner's playing career began at neighboring SUNY Cortland, before making the switch to Buffalo State for his sophomore season. During his time with the Bengals, he was a two-year captain and helped the team to its best record to date in 2004 (11-5-2). That season, Brenner led the Bengals in game-winning goals and finished third in points, which helped Buffalo State receive a regional ranking from the NSCAA, as well as votes in the national poll.
What coaches from around the region are saying…
Dermot McGrane (Canisius College, Head Men's Soccer Coach & Elmira College Alum)
"As an alumnus of Elmira College, I am thrilled to see Pat Thompson and the athletic department hire a coach with the high level of quality and experience that
Kevin Brenner will bring to the team. I have known Kevin for a number of years, and I am positive that with his dedication and leadership at the helm of the program, the future is very bright for the Soaring Eagles' soccer program!"
Stu Riddle (Head Men's Soccer Coach, University at Buffalo)
"Elmira is very fortunate to have hired a coach of Kevin's quality. His experience as a Division I assistant coach and record as D division II head coach speaks for itself, and I look forward to the impending success Elmira men's soccer will have under his guidance."
Kwame Oduro (Head Men's Soccer Coach, St. Bonaventure University)
"Kevin is a great hire for Elmira. He is a tireless worker that puts the team before himself. He is a very disciplined coach who holds his players and staff to a high standard. He has recruited high caliber players now from Division I, II and III and under his tutelage the Elmira soccer program will soar!"