Jan. 26, 2007
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - UCF Men's Soccer Coach Brent Erwin resigned today to accept the recently vacated head women's soccer coach position at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
Prior to taking over the UCF men's soccer program in May, 2005, Erwin had served as the top assistant on the nationally-prominent SMU Mustangs men's soccer staff from 2000-05. He will take over for John Cossaboon, who left SMU for a position on the Gonzaga University women's soccer staff.
"We wish Coach [Brent] Erwin continued success in this next step of his career," said Keith R. Tribble, UCF Director of Athletics. "The UCF men's soccer team is on the cusp of something real special and that is testament to a job well-done by Brent and his staff the past two seasons.
"UCF has named Bryan Cunningham as interim head coach," added Tribble. "At this time, we will begin our search and name a head coach that can reach our goal of being a nationally-ranked program."
In two seasons, 2005 and 2006, UCF men's soccer went a combined 13-17-3 and 5-9-3 in Conference USA play. At home, the Golden Knights were an impressive 10-4-3 under Erwin. In 2006, UCF faced six nationally ranked opponents and made its first appearance in the Conference USA Championship, earning the sixth seed. They defeated No. 17 Memphis and tied top-ranked SMU, while they lost one-goal games at No. 18 Kentucky and at No. 16 South Carolina. Sophomore forward Zak Boggs was selected to the all-conference second team and midfielder Cam Jordan and defender Akin Akinrinade were named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team. Boggs also became the first UCF player since 2003 to receive all-region honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
Interim Head Coach Bryan Cunningham served as Erwin's top assistant the past two seasons and most notably led the Golden Knight's recruiting efforts. Cunningham's first recruiting class at UCF featured 19 players, including 13 freshmen, and was ranked in the top 30 nationally by College Soccer News and first in the South Region by StudentSports.com. By the end of 2006, three of those players earned All-Conference USA honors. Prior to UCF, Cunningham was an assistant coach at South Carolina (2002-04) and Appalachian State (1997-01).
In addition to his coaching experience at the collegiate level, Cunningham was also active in the North Carolina and South Carolina Olympic Development Program (ODP) and assisted with various youth soccer associations, including the High Country YSA, Wilkesboro YSA, Catawba Valley YSA and Columbia Soccer Club.
A native of Philadelphia, Cunningham was a four-year letterwinner and three-time captain for the Pfeiffer University soccer team. The Falcons won two Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference (CVAC) Championships and earned a berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament during his career. He was also a four-time scholar-athlete and Dean's List member and appeared in the Who's Who Among American College Students.
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