By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
Brett Parker, Head Coach of the Fort Hays State University Men’s Soccer program, announced on Thursday (Dec. 20) he is stepping down from his current position to take the head coaching position of the men’s soccer program at Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, Florida. Parker just completed his eighth season as head coach at Fort Hays State.
“Coach Parker did an outstanding job building our men’s soccer program from the very beginning of its existence,” FHSU Director of Athletics Curtis Hammeke said. “He provided excellent leadership for our student-athletes while competing at the conference, regional and national level. We wish him the very best in all his future endeavors.”
Parker put together an impressive 100-40-18 record in his eight years at Fort Hays State. He immediately made FHSU competitive in its inaugural 2011 season, guiding the team to a solid 11-5-2 record. After the inaugural season, the Tigers went on to make to seven consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 2012 to 2018, culminating in a national semifinal appearance this past season. The 2018 Tigers posted a 17-2-2 mark, the program’s best record under Parker. Fort Hays State claimed back-to-back MIAA Championships in 2017 and 2018, including the conference’s first-ever perfect mark in 2018 at 8-0. The program earned four NCAA Central Region titles on his watch in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018.
Fort Hays State won at least 11 games in every year of Parker’s tenure, averaging 12.5 per season. That is truly impressive considering the regular season schedule is 18 games each year. The Tigers have been a staple in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll on a yearly basis, with a No. 4 ranking being the highest ever in program history at the culmination of the 2018 season.
In Parker’s time guiding the Tigers, the program boasted 10 All-America selections, including the 2018 D2CCA National Player of the Year – Santiago Agudelo. He also coached 65 All-MIAA selections, 60 all-region selections, four MIAA Players of the Year, four MIAA Freshmen of the Year, and three D2CCA Central Region Players of the Year. Parker earned MIAA Coach of the Year in both the 2017 and 2018 seasons, while he and his staff earned United Soccer Coaches Regional Staff of the Year honors in 2018.
“First of all, I would like to thank Curtis Hammeke and former FHSU President Dr. Edward Hammond for giving me the opportunity to start the program here from scratch eight years ago,” said Parker. “So many players, coaches, administrators, and support staff have been instrumental in the immediate and continued success of the program. Fort Hays State is a truly special place and I will be forever grateful for having been a part of such an amazing place. I am excited to see the program continue to thrive from afar!”
Parker completed his 11th season overall as a head men’s soccer coach at the collegiate level in 2018. He coached two years at Lyon College (2009-2010) in Arkansas and one year at College of Santa Fe (2008) in New Mexico before his eight years at FHSU. He carries an overall coaching record of 126-61-21 to Saint Leo University.
A national search for a new head coach of the Fort Hays State Men’s Soccer program begins immediately