Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell's Brendan Nash Named NSCAA Regional Coach of the Year
12/15/2009 7:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Dec. 15, 2009
LEWISBURG, Pa. – After presiding over a record-setting 2009 season, Bucknell head men's soccer coach Brendan Nash has been named the National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA) Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year. Nash, who was also picked as the Patriot League Coach of the Year this fall, led the Bison to a school-record 17 wins, Patriot League regular-season and tournament titles, and an NCAA Tournament first-round victory over Princeton.
This is the second time Nash has earned regional coach of the year honors. He was also recognized in 2003, and he is now on the ballot for the national NSCAA/Mondo Coach of the Year Award.
Nash, a native of Neptune, N.J., just completed his 11th season as head coach of the Bison, and it was a milestone year. On Oct. 17 Bucknell blanked Patriot League foe Army 3-0 for Nash's 100th career win. After guiding the team to a 17-6 record, his career record now stands at 106-82-28. Only Craig Reynolds, who coached the Bison for 32 years from 1967-98, has won more games (238) than Nash in program history, but Nash's .556 winning percentage is No. 1 all-time.
Despite being picked fifth in the Patriot League preseason poll, Bucknell eclipsed the school victory record by four this fall, and its 12 shutouts were two better than the previous program record. Ten of those came by 1-0 margins, including two in the Patriot League Tournament against Lafayette and American and another against Princeton in the NCAA first round.
Nash's side was not only about defense. The team extended its national-best scoring streak to 27 matches before being blanked by eventual national champion Virginia in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Led by All-American Conor O'Brien, who led the league with 11 goals, nine assists and 31 points, the Bison were the highest-scoring team in the Patriot League in 2009.
Under Nash's tutelage, O'Brien became Bucknell's fourth All-American and first in 33 years. He was also the first player in program history to be a semifinalist (final 15) for the Hermann Trophy, given to the national player of the year, and will be attending the MLS scouting combine next month. Bucknell this season placed a league-high six players on the All-Patriot League Team and four on the NSCAA All-Mid-Atlantic Region Team.
Prior to the season Nash brought in the nation's 30th-ranked recruiting class, according to College Soccer News, and three starters and one key reserve on this year's squad came from that class. Among them was Brendan Burgdorf, who scored the winning goals in both the Patriot League championship match against American and in the NCAA win over Princeton. An all-region honoree, Burgdorf led all Patriot League rookies with nine goals, which was second-most ever by a Bucknell freshman.
Just as successful in the classroom, Nash's team earned an NSCAA Team Academic Award, and three student-athletes – Patrick Selwood, Sean King and Tommy Caso – were named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Team. Selwood then became the second Bison men's soccer player in as many years to go on and earn national Academic All-America honors.
