From Carnegie Mellon University Athletics
Carnegie Mellon University Director of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation Josh Centor has announced the hire of 13-year head coaching veteran Brandon Bowman as the next leader of the nationally-recognized Tartans' men's soccer program following a national search. Bowman becomes the 10th head coach in Carnegie Mellon men's soccer history and will begin his post on August 1, replacing Arron Lujan who stepped down in January after six years to take a job with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).
"We are thrilled to welcome Brandon to Carnegie Mellon. He has achieved excellence throughout his coaching career and brings a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge to our program," Centor said. "Brandon has a deep commitment to the role of intercollegiate athletics within our students' educational experience and I am looking forward to our work together as we continue to push our program into national prominence."
Bowman brings to Carnegie Mellon a rich tradition of success at Division III Transylvania University, where he served as the head coach since the 2002 season. During his tenure, Bowman compiled a 168-39-32 overall record and a 77-7-9 mark in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) play. The four-time HCAC Coach of the Year also guided seven teams to the NCAA tournament, reaching the Elite Eight in 2009 and the Sweet 16 in 2007.
In just his second year at the helm, Bowman led the Pioneers to a 17-1-2 mark, including a 16-game unbeaten streak, setting a new school record for single-season win percentage.
"I am so grateful for the opportunity to coach the men's soccer program at Carnegie Mellon. It is exciting to be a part of a university with such high academic standards and an appreciation for the value of athletics to the overall student-athlete experience," Bowman said. "Carnegie Mellon represents the perfect balance between academic expectations and athletic achievement. I am excited to lead this soccer program with such a rich tradition, and I look forward to the challenges and successes ahead."
While in Kentucky, Bowman also served as a coach with Lexington F.C. since 2001. As a head coach from 2003-2010, the USSF "A" Licensed coach mentored players on the U-13 through U-19 teams, winning Kentucky State Championships in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2009.
Prior to his hire at Transylvania, Bowman was head coach at Elmira College in New York from 2000-2001. He was also an assistant for the men's and women's programs at Division I Miami University of Ohio from 1998-2000. Including his record at Elmira, Bowman's overall mark of 179-46-32 places him eighth all-time in winning percentage (.760) for Division III.
Bowman is a 1997 graduate of Centre College, where he double-majored in history and secondary education. He was a team captain and NSCAA Midwest Regional All-American for the soccer program at Centre. Bowman later received a dual master's degree from Miami in sport management and sport performance and behavior. He holds the highest level of coaching certifications from the USSF and the NSCAA.
The Tartans return 22 players from last year's team that finished with a 12-3-3 record, their second straight NCAA tournament appearance and a national ranking of 18.