Men's Soccer
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
Helping to construct one of the topdefensive programs in collegiate soccer during his time at CalPoly, Mustang associate head coach Brian Reed returns for hisseventh season on Paul Holocher’s managerial staff in2013.
The 2012 season ranked as another notable year for CalPoly’s defense with the Mustangs finishing second among BigWest programs in goals allowed (20) and shutouts (six) en route tomatching program records for overall victories (11) and conferencevictories (six).
A standout defender with the Mustangs (1999-03), Reed has helpedoversee a stifling defense that has posted a 1.04 goals againstaverage during his six combined seasons on the Cal Poly touchline.That 1.04 goals against average mark includes Cal Poly’srecord-smashing 2011 season during which the Mustangs establishedprogram bests for fewest goals conceded (17, in 18 games) andfewest goals allowed per game (0.94) and led the Big West with a0.90 team goals against average. During Reed’s six years, CalPoly has allowed just 1.09 goals per game (127 in 116 matches).
“Brian has a passionate focus for developing strongdefensive habits and skills in all of our players. An outstandingcentral defender during his playing days at Cal Poly, he takesgreat pride in the defensive side of the game as a coach,”Holocher said. “He works in a specialized way with ourgoalkeepers and backs to help them become team leaders. Brian alsohelps teach our team the important defensive responsibilities ofeach position, regardless of whether its being organized on setpieces or simply becoming a tougher and more reliable player in thecritical moments that can decide a match. He does an outstandingjob of helping each individual improve and become a more completeplayer.”
Charged with overall player recruitment, training and development,Reed was a three-year starter, two-year captain and a 2003 All-BigWest first team selection during his playing career with Cal Poly.Reed’s first coaching stint at Cal Poly culminated during the2008 campaign as the Mustangs posted their highest finish in theBig West standings (second), qualified for the NCAA Tournament forthe first time in 13 years and produced the first postseasonvictory at the Division I level – a 1-0 win at UCLA. TheMustangs finished their finest season ranked No. 23 in the finalNSCAA/adidas Top 25 poll.
Recruited and constructed in part by Reed, Cal Poly’s 2008backline allowed a 0.94 goals against average. Eric Branagan-Franco– who recorded nine clean sheets for the second-straight yearand retired with eight Cal Poly career records, including savepercentage (.805) and shutouts (25) – became the firstMustang to earn Big West Goalkeeper of the Year honors while centerback Patrick Sigler was named Co-Big West Freshman of the Year.Both players earned NSCAA All-Far West Region praise while Sigler– a future Hermann Trophy candidate – was invited totrain with the United States U-20 Men’s National Team.
The 2007 Mustangs allowed just 1.10 goals per game en route tosetting program records for total Big West points (22), conferencevictories (six), fewest overall losses (four) and fewest conferencelosses (two) and matching the mark for overall victories (11). Ledby K.J. Lenehan’s first team selection, three Mustangdefensive players garnered All-Big West praise.
Reed’s influence upon Cal Poly’s backline was feltimmediately. A year after the program leaked 39 goals in 20matches, the 2006 Mustangs yielded just 20 in 19 games. With thedefense tightened, Cal Poly posted a fourth-place finish in the BigWest standings – a distinction that, at the time, matched theprogram’s best showing in the conference standings.
Having helped the Mustangs compile the five lowest goals againstaverages in program history, Reed-coached Cal Poly sides have alsoproduced 46 clean sheets. During Reed’s watch, Mustangdefenders have earned 14 total All-Big West honors.
Prior to departing the program for the 2009 season, Reed helpedproduce a recruiting class that was ranked No. 33 among Division Iprograms by College Soccer News.
Reed spent the 2009-10 term working under former United StatesMen’s National Team head coach and 2005 Major League SoccerCup-winning manager Steve Sampson with the GSI Soccer Academy inAgoura Hills, Calif.
