COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Iowa Western Community College announced the hiring of an up-and-coming coach to guide its national powerhouse men's soccer program. Director of Athletics Jeremy Capo announced Tuesday the hiring of Mike Brown as the next Reivers head soccer Coach. Brown will be the third coach in program history as he replaces longtime leader Jordan Carver.
"I am truly pleased to have Coach Brown come back to Iowa Western to lead our soccer program. The interest in being the Head Coach of Reivers Soccer was extremely high and Mike clearly separated himself as the best candidate," Capo Said.
Brown will return to Iowa Western after having served as the head coach at Barton County for the last three years. The Cougars finished this season with a 21-2-2 record and national runner-up after falling in two overtimes at the NJCAA Championships. He brings to Iowa Western a 48-9-6 career record.
Brown was instrumental in turning around the men's soccer program at Barton and it started in the classroom, where his team finished second in the NJCAA with a team GPA of 3.31.
Prior to his time at Barton, Brown was an assistant coach at Central Arkansas where he assisted with academics, video analysis and travel. The Bears were awarded the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (now United Soccer Coaches) academic award in 2014 with a 3.12 GPA.
Brown and his wife, Amy, are the proud parents of Ayla.
"What stood out in the research and interview process was Mike's work ethic," Capo said. "He's blue collar and will do whatever it takes. Words like, grit and grind continuously surfaced during the process. Every call described him as a tireless worker and that is special. Mike was here during arguably the most successful stretch in our programs history, where we went 42-1-1 and secured the 2013 NJCAA National Championship. He knows what being a part of our championship culture requires."
Brown said he is excited to begin his career on the Reiver pitch.
"My family and I are beyond thrilled to take over this program and carry on the traditions that Coach Carver has established. Since serving on Coach Carver's staff, Iowa Western has always held a very special place in my heart. The opportunity to come back and push it towards being the premier soccer program in the country was something I could not pass up.
"I will be forever grateful to Coach Carver and his family for everything they have done for me and it is an honor to lead this program. I am thankful to the people at Barton County that gave me an opportunity to become a head coach. I'd like to thank Mr. Capo and Dr. Kinney for entrusting me with this program, your energy and enthusiasm made this a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am excited to get to work with these outstanding young men and we are looking forward to the future. Great things lie ahead."
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What they are saying about Mike Brown
"With Mike, you've got the hardest-working coach in the NJCAA. This guy is relentless and that work rate gets bred into his team. On top of the work ethic, you've got a high-character coach that instills his values into his roster and a proven winner. He will not only be an asset to the men's soccer program, but to the entire athletic department. There is no doubt in my mind that Mike will be a big success with the Reivers."
-Ross Duncan, Head Men's Soccer Coach at Central Arkansas
"Mike Brown is a great young coach with an incredibly bright future in the sport. He did a great job at Barton on the field with his teams as they were highly competitive but also carried themselves in a very positive manner. He was also a strong advocate on behalf of the coaches to help advance the sport in our Region and we will miss that voice in Kansas with him returning to Iowa Western."
-Mike Saddler, Athletic Director at Colby Community College
"I am happy for Mike Brown as he becomes the program's third head coach and returns to Reiver Soccer. I hired him for his first coaching job in 2012 and have watched him mature and grow into a successful head coach over the years. He helped Iowa Western achieve success in the past and I am certain he will continue to improve the program. I wish him the best in his tenure at Iowa Western.
-Jordan Carver, Outgoing Head Men's Soccer Coach at Iowa Western
