Brian Haley, a two-time Ohio Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, is embarking on his 22nd season at the helm of the Heidelberg University men’s soccer team. Since 1989, Haley has led the Berg to 14 winning seasons, including 13 out of the last 16 years. Haley strives to give all members of the program a well-rounded experience on and off the field, which includes a trip to the United Kingdom for the team every three years.
Haley holds the distinction of having the highest winning percentage for any soccer coach in Heidelberg history. In 21 years, Haley has amassed a coaching record of 191-164-30. He is one of just three past and current head coaches in the OAC that has eclipsed 175 career coaching victories.
Heidelberg concluded the 2009 season at 10-8-2 overall and 4-4-1 in the OAC. The Berg made its 12th appearance, third straight, in the OAC Tournament which is second best only to John Carroll University. Two players were named to the All-OAC team.
Haley spent his first five years at Heidelberg building today's premier soccer program from what had been a mediocre program. The Berg had five straight losing seasons prior to Haley taking over the program, but Haley stepped right in and led the Berg to a winning season in his first campaign at 8-5-3 and moved Heidelberg into the top half of the OAC standings by his second year at the helm.
Other accolades attributed to Haley’s skillful coaching include his 150th win in 2005, best ever season in 1999 (17-3) and a national soccer ranking for the first time in school history in 1994. Haley led the team to an overall record of 10-6-2 and a runner-up finish in the OAC with a record of 5-2-2 and snagged his first league coach of the year honor.
Prior to Heidelberg, Haley served as the head of the physical education and history departments at the Licensed Victuallers School in England.
Haley graduated from St Bede's Grammar School in Bradford Yorkshire where he captained his school team while representing his local and county teams. He earned a bachelor of education from Leeds Carnegie where he captained the college soccer team. Upon graduation Haley worked as a graduate assistant in Kent State University's education department. While at Kent State, he worked as an assistant coach and played professional soccer in the American Soccer League in Cleveland. After completing his master's degree, Haley returned to England to continue his playing career in the East Counties League for Ossett Town and Eccleshill United.
He is an English Association Football Coach and holds an Advanced National Diploma (Colorado College, 1996) and the Premier Coaching License (Bloomsburg University, 2006). He also completed his doctorate in education from Toledo University in 2000 and teaches several courses in Heidelberg's education department.