Brandt Leaving Hope College for Bucknell

[fishercats]

Found this posted today on social media and Hope's website.


https://athletics.hope.edu/sports/msoc/2021-22/releases/20211217csu5p4

MEN'S SOCCER HEAD COACH DAVE BRANDT STEPS DOWN, NATIONAL SEARCH BEGINS FOR NEW COACH
Posted: Dec 17, 2021
by Eva Dean Folkert

Head men's soccer coach Dave Brandt, pictured left, recently announced that he will be stepping down from his position at Hope College to fill a similar role at Bucknell University, a NCAA Division I school in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

Athletic Director Tim Schoonveld says a national search for his replacement will begin immediately. Brandt's last day at Hope is Friday, Dec. 17.

"We want to thank Dave Brandt for his leadership and development of the men's soccer program. He has positioned this program for future, sustained success and for that we are grateful," Schoonveld said. "We are thankful for the impact he has had on the lives of our student-athletes and also within the athletic department. We wish him and his wife Diane all the best in this new and exciting opportunity. As we move forward we are confident that the best is ahead for our men's soccer program and the student-athletes within the program. The foundation is set for our program to take the next step towards MIAA and national success."

During his four-season tenure at Hope, Brandt accumulated a 44-14-6 record that included leading the Flying Dutchmen to an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III National Championship in 2019, when the team also finished second in the MIAA. His Flying Dutchmen won the MIAA Tournament title in the spring of 2021, and in the fall of this year went 11-4-3 and finished third in the league.

Prior to coming to Hope in 2018, Brandt had successful and lengthy head coaching careers at Messiah College (Pa.) and the United States Naval Academy (Md.)

"While I am excited about the opportunity I now have at Bucknell, I am also sad to leave Hope and go with a heavy heart," said Brandt. "This is a tremendous institution and as quality a group of people I have ever had the pleasure of working with.

"I want to particularly thank Tim Schoonveld, not only for the opportunity to have been at Hope for these three and a half years, but for being a strong and vision-oriented leader. The men's soccer program and entire athletic department is in good hands because Hope is filled with so many quality and sincere people. I've made many, many friends here and will be watching closely from afar."

Assistant coach Ryan Woodside, pictured right, will serve as the interim head coach until the search for the new coach is complete. Schoonveld says he values the young assistant's enthusiasm and commitment to the program.

"Ryan will provide a great transition for us as we search for the next leader of our program.  He has a deep connection to the program, great respect from the players and will provide consistency and familiarity as we search," Schoonveld said. "We are very confident that we will find an outstanding leader for our program who will provide competitive excellence and transform the lives of our student-athletes."