NEWBERRY — Bryce Cooper has been hired by Newberry College as head coach of the Wolves’ men’s soccer program.
Cooper joins the Newberry family after serving as assistant men’s soccer coach at Duquesne University for the past three seasons. In his tenure, the Dukes twice qualified for the Atlantic 10 conference tournament with 10 players earning All-A10 honors and one Academic All-America.
Matthew Finley, director of athletics for Newberry College, said in making the announcement that Cooper was at the top of the candidate list.
“Bryce rose to the top of a deep candidate pool and was well received by our campus during his visit,” Finley said. “I was extremely impressed with how he understands the big picture with regards to what it takes to build a solid foundation for a soccer program and look forward to watching him develop our current student-athletes.”
The Dukes also won the NSCAA Team Academic Award with a team grade point average above 3.0 in all three of Cooper’s seasons on the Pittsburgh campus.
At Duquesne, Cooper assisted in all aspects of the program including developing, planning and leading training sessions, recruiting, organizing all team travel, academic monitoring and scheduling, game management and analysis, video analysis, running and organizing camps, organizing team equipment and apparel, coordinating and establishing an alumni database and organizing opponent scouting.
“I would like to thank Director of Athletics Matt Finley, President Dr. Maurice Scherrens, Dr. Sandra Scherrens, Faculty Athletic Representative Dr. David Rachels and the rest of the committee for the opportunity to lead the men’s soccer program at Newberry College,” Cooper said. “I am extremely grateful and humbled by this opportunity and hope to put the pieces in place to have success on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.
“Matt and the rest of the department have a exciting vision and aggressive plan to make Newberry athletics a regional power and national contender,” he added. “I can’t wait to get started and know that we will build something that the faculty, alumni, students and campus community will be proud of.”
Finley said Cooper will be a strong recruiting force.
“Future prospective-student athletes and their families are going to have a hard time telling Bryce no – he will do an excellent job of attracting high quality student athletes to Newberry College,” Finley added. “Bryce’s enthusiasm, experience and leadership skills make him the right person to elevate the Newberry College men’s soccer program. The values and character which Bryce bring to the table will also be an asset to our department, the campus and the entire Newberry Community.”
Cooper came to Duquesne after spending the 2012 season at Saint Francis, Pa. Prior to that, he spent three seasons as an assistant at Butler.
While at Saint Francis, Cooper helped the Red Flash advance to the final of the Northeast Conference Championship, only to fall to Fairleigh Dickinson on penalty kicks. Cooper helped coach three All-NEC and two all-region players for a SFU team that ranked 16th nationally in goals against average.
Cooper was responsible for helping in all aspects of the Red Flash program, including leading and organizing training sessions, working with the goalkeepers, working with academic advisors and staff to ensure players were excelling in the classroom, recruiting, game analysis, opponent scouting, organizing travel, managing equipment and gear and organizing and leading residential and day camps. Under Cooper’s tutelage, the SFU team was recognized by the NSCAA with a team academic award for posting a 3.24 team GPA.
One of Cooper’s pupils, goalkeeper Danny Valcicak, earned All-NEC first team honors after posting eight eight shutouts and a 0.89 goals against average, which ranked fourth nationally in 2012. Cooper was also active in helping assemble a recruiting class that featured several players who competed in the US Soccer Development Academy system.
At Butler, Cooper was part of a staff that made NCAA Championship appearances in 2009 and 2010. The 2010 Bulldogs, who went 15-0-2 in winning the Horizon League title (16-1-3 overall), advanced to the second round of the 2010 NCAA tourney. Three BU players earned All-American honors and two were drafted into Major League Soccer following the season that saw the Bulldogs ranked No. 11 by the NSCAA.
Before coaching collegiately, Cooper posted a 35-10-0 record in guiding Indianapolis Roncalli HS to a pair sectional championships and regional titles. In 2007, he was named the Indianapolis Star Super Team “Coach of the Year” after leading the Rebels to two of the most successful seasons in school history.
In addition to his college and high school experience, Cooper has also had coaching success at the club level. He led several club teams at Carmel United Soccer Club in Carmel, Ind., guiding one to a State Cup Championship and Regional berth. He also served as a trainer and assistant coach for the Indiana United Development Academy team at Carmel United.
As a player, Cooper spent four years at the University of Southern Indiana, helping the Screaming Eagles to three Great Lakes Valley Conference tournament appearances.
Cooper currently holds a USSF B license and a NSCAA Premier Diploma. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from USI in 2004 and received his teaching license from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis in 2010.
Cooper and his wife, Courtney, have a daughter, Stori.