Director of sports and entertainment Jermaine Tur Jermaine Truax today disclosed that six NCAA titles were won by Bucknell under Hall of Fame college football coach Dave Brandt.
Brandt comes to Bucknell from Holland, Michigan’s Hope Academy, where he has been the boys’ soccer team’s head coach since 2018. Brandt has a 354-86-40 (.779) coaching record in 23 seasons as a college head coach, including previous stops with Messiah and Navy.
In the history of NCAA men’s soccer, Brandt’s outstanding career success percentage places him 20th among all head coaches with at least ten years of experience. He coached 12 current or past Major League Soccer players, one player now playing in the Premier League, and a total of 26 collegiate All-Americans.
Dave Brandt is a welcome addition to the Bucknell and Bison Athletics families, said Truax. “Dave has had amazing success in football at all levels. The statistics speak for themselves when it comes to individual accolades, national and conference championships, and more. The ability of Dave to convey a shared, unshakeable vision that can result in greatness in all facets of life and a remarkable, all-encompassing student-athlete experience may not be as clear. Dave will aid the Bison men’s soccer team in the Patriot League and beyond, and I’m looking forward to him getting to know our student-athletes and alumni. The area has regained notoriety.
I’m thrilled to be back at Central Penn State and to have the chance to lead the men’s soccer program at Bucknell, said Brant. I’d want to express my gratitude to Michelle Manning, Jermaine Truax, the selection committee, and all the coaches and staff who worked with me during the interviewing process. I am excited to join a fantastic department and team. Our objective is to pass down these proud traditions, which Bucknell University takes great pride in, as well as a program that executes and creates a shared vision for the future.
One of the top scorers while attending Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, from 1981 to 1984, Brandt went back to his alma institution as head coach in 1997. With a 246-25-14 (.888) record, the team has won six Division III national championships and made it to the Final Four eight times.
At Messiah, Brant received four National Coach of the Year awards, while five of his student-athletes were selected International Players of the Year. He coached 22 All-Americans, 12 conference MVPs, two players selected in the MLS draft, and 14 players who went on to play professional football.