Men's Soccer Release (2005) - Behrens Steps Down As Men's Soccer Coach - Guilford College

  • GUILFORD COLLEGE ELEVATES MEN'S SOCCER POSITION TO FULL-TIME STATUS

 

      Greensboro, NC (2/1/06) -- For the first time since 1997, Guilford College is looking for a head men's soccer coach. The coach will be the school's first full-time men's soccer mentor in recent history.

 

Guilford Athletic Director Marion Kirby announced the decision to elevate the men's soccer position to full-time status Wednesday. Liam Behrens, who has served as the Quakers' part-time head coach for nine years, will keep his full-time job as Chief Operating Officer of the YMCA of Greensboro rather than Guilford's soccer job.

 

Kirby said a national search for Behrens' replacement is underway. He hopes the new coach will be in place by March.

 

"We are grateful for the effort Liam has put into building the men's soccer team into an Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) contender," Kirby said. "His recruiting prowess and dedication to Guilford will be hard to replace, but we look forward to adding another full-time coach for the benefit of our student-athletes."

 

Behrens leaves as Guilford's career coaching victories leader in men's soccer. He compiled a 67-88-13 mark in a school-record nine seasons. After assisting the Quakers' men's soccer team in 1995 and 1996, he took over as head coach in 1997. Behrens inherited a program that won 11 games from 1993-96 and two seasons later guided Guilford to nine wins. By 2002 the Quakers had 11 victories and reached the ODAC Tournament semifinals for the first time in school history. Guilford also reached the ODAC's final four in 2003 and 2004. Before the 2005 club went 6-7-4, the Quakers enjoyed three straight winning seasons, a first in the school's Division III history.

 

      Twelve Guilford student-athletes garnered 20 All-ODAC commendations under Behrens' direction, including Tim Imafidon '04, a 2003 adidas/National Soccer Coaches Association of America Third Team All-American and a four-time All-ODAC pick. Matt Feraci '05, a 2004 First Team All-South honoree, and Imafidon led the ODAC in goals as seniors under Behrens.

 

      Guilford expects 21 letter winners back for the 2006 season, including three starters.