COLUMBIA, S.C. — CIU men's soccer head coach Bill Brindley has announced his departure from the program as he accepts the position of Athletic Director at Augusta Christian Schools.
Brindley concludes his CIU tenure following the 2025 season, his eighth leading the Rams and 13th year as a collegiate head coach. This season, Brindley guided CIU to the NCCAA Division I Men's Soccer National Championship semifinal and was named the 2025 NCCAA South Region Coach of the Year.
"I am deeply grateful for my time here at CIU and for the chance to work alongside some outstanding players and staff," Brindley said. "God has been faithful throughout our journey and I am so proud of what we have been able to accomplish and build together. I am excited to see the future of this program and am sure it is a bright one."
Hired in February of 2017 as the second head men's soccer coach in program history, Brindley helped elevate CIU men's soccer to national prominence. Under his leadership, the Rams captured an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) regular-season championship in 2021, an AAC Tournament Championship, and reached the AAC Tournament six times. CIU also advanced to four NCCAA Division I National Championship Tournaments during his tenure.
The pinnacle of Brindley's time at CIU came in 2022, when the Rams won the program's first NCCAA Division I Men's Soccer National Championship while also claiming the AAC Tournament title. CIU finished the season 15-4-5 overall and 9-2-2 in conference play.
Brindley coached 14 NCCAA Division I All-Americans and four NAIA All-American honorable mentions at CIU. In 2019, the Rams produced the program's second Kyle Rote Jr. Award winner, honoring outstanding leadership and character. In 2021, CIU earned its first-ever AAC regular-season title, multiple conference Player of the Year honors, and its first NAIA Top 25 ranking, finishing No. 17 nationally.
He leaves CIU with an 82-57-14 overall record and also served the university as intramural director while holding the role of NCCAA South Region Chair.
"Bill's impact on CIU men's soccer and our athletics department will be felt for years to come," said CIU Director of Athletics Stefan Vasiloff. "He built a nationally respected program, and we are grateful for his leadership, his investment in our student-athletes, and the legacy he leaves behind. While we will deeply miss him, we are so excited for Bill and his family as he steps into this new opportunity."
A nationwide search for the third head men's soccer coach in CIU history is currently underway.
