The University of Toledo and Women’s Soccer Head Coach Brad Evans have agreed to a contract extension through December 2016, Vice President and Athletic Director Mike O’Brien announced Aug. 7.
Evans
“My wife [Kristen] and I would like to thank Mike and [UT President] Dr. [Lloyd] Jacobs for this contract extension and for their truly remarkable support of the Toledo women’s soccer program,” said Evans, who ranks No. 50 in NCAA Division I in win percentage (185-108-26, .621). “I’m grateful for the tremendous faith they have shown in me over the years, and I’m thrilled with what we have accomplished in developing a first-class soccer program both on and off the field. This type of long-term success does not happen without great support. For over a decade, my family has been enthusiastic and proud residents of the Toledo area, and we will be for years to come.”
Evans, who is about to embark on his 12th season at UT, has led the program to a 118-82-24 overall record and a 69-43-12 league mark. He has guided the Rockets to unparalleled success, culminated by three Mid-American Conference regular-season championships (2008, ‘10, ‘11), two West Division titles (2010, ‘11), and a league-record four tourney titles (2006, ‘07, ‘08, ‘11).
The two-time reigning MAC Coach of the Year has taken the Rockets to a league-best four NCAA Championships appearances (2006, ‘07, ‘08, ‘11). His players have received three MAC Player of the Year awards (Molly Cornwell, 2007 and ’08, and Rachel MacLeod, offensive, 2011), and a pair of conference Freshman of the Year honors (Vicki Traven in 2008, MacLeod in 2010), as well as 14 first-team All-MAC selections.
Toledo’s conference record over the last five seasons under Evans is 41-10-4 (.782), best in the league.
In the classroom, the Rockets have been equally as successful. Toledo players have been selected first-team Academic All-MAC 23 times in his tenure, Academic All-District on five occasions and Academic All-America once.
Under his tutelage, UT has posted team grade point averages above 3.0 each of the last 23 semesters.
For the last six years, Toledo has been recognized for having a top-10 team GPA in the nation. The Rockets posted a 3.61 overall GPA during the 2010-11 academic year to rank tied for fifth among Division I programs, according to a release from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). UT also finished third nationally in 2005-06, tied for second in 2006-07, 10th in 2007-08, second in 2008-09 and tied for second in 2009-10.
On an individual basis, Natalia Gaitàn earned a spot on the 2011 NSCAA Scholar All-America Third Team, becoming the first Rocket to earn Academic All-America accolades.
The Rockets also have been very active in the Toledo community during Evans’ time at UT, helping with projects such as Mom’s House, Camp Courageous, Muscular Dystrophy Association and tutoring.
Evans and his wife, Kristen, reside in Sylvania. They have two daughters, Kari (11) and Elizabeth (10).
