DANNY BRANDT STEPS DOWN AS HEAD MEN’S SOCCER COACH

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. - After an incredible season leading the Olivet Nazarene University men's soccer program, Danny Brandt announced his resignation as head coach effective March 20, 2023. He will be taking a men's soccer coaching position at Lee University, an NCAA Division II program located in Cleveland, Tenn.

Brandt took the reins of the ONU men's soccer program in August 2022, just two weeks before the first game of the season. With very little time to prepare, Brandt hit the ground running with an early statement win over Lindsey Wilson, the NAIA's No. 14-ranked team at the time, in the second game of the year.

Brandt's Tigers went on to go undefeated in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) play, posting a 9-0-3 league record to win the CCAC regular-season title, the second for the program in as many years. The team then made quick work of the CCAC Tournament, downing Cardinal Stritch 2-0 in the finals to win their second-consecutive conference tournament championship.

Brandt led the Tigers to a 16-2-3 overall record to match the school record for wins in a season. The club climbed to as high as No. 15 in the NAIA top-25 coaches' poll and qualified for the NAIA National Tournament for the ninth time in program history.

"Danny did such an outstanding job with our team," said ONU Director of Athletics Mike Conway. "His energy was evident as soon as he walked onto our campus and was just what we needed to lead our talented group of players. We certainly wish Danny all the best."

Along with the success on the field, Brandt oversaw the program's success in the classroom. Six of Brandt's student-athletes were named NAIA Daktronics Scholar-Athletes while Justin Eisenmann, Nick Kilian, and Fabio Hasler earned CSC Academic All-American honors.

A 2018 graduate of NCAA Division III soccer powerhouse Messiah College, Brandt was a part of NCAA Championship teams in 2013 and 2017. He was also a two-time First Team All-MAC Commonwealth Conference selection (2014, 2017) and an All- Mid-Atlantic Region pick in 2014.

A search for his replacement will begin immediately.