WINCHESTER, Va. --- Shenandoah University Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Bridget Lyons announced Tuesday that Brandon Kates has accepted the position of head men's soccer coach.

Kates comes to Shenandoah after three seasons as an assistant coach at Widener University and is the seventh full-time head coach in program history. He takes over for Zack MacDougall, who departed last month to become the head coach at Salisbury University.
 
Kates helped the Pride to 19 wins in the two full seasons with the program and a 2-1-1 mark in the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign. The 19 wins represent the most successful two-year span in the past five years and Widener had a pair of post-season wins for the first time in program history.
 
He also was instrumental in recruiting the program's first-ever MAC Offensive Player of the Year and first-ever All-Region player.
 
"Brandon has helped bring programs to the next level at several institutions," Dr. Lyons said. "He is a proven recruiter committed to player development on- and off-the-field.
 
"The men's soccer team has shown significant improvement in the past few seasons and I look forward to Brandon continuing that upward trajectory."
 
Prior to his time at Widener, Kates was an assistant at DI Lafayette College from 2017-2019 after serving as an assistant at his alma mater, Susquehanna University, from 2015-2017. The Cherry Hill, New Jersey native was a third-year starter for the River Hawks and a third team All-America honoree following his senior season.
 
A 2013 Susquehanna graduate, Kates got his coaching start at Lycoming College in 2013. He was an assistant for the Warriors for two seasons.

"I am extremely excited and honored to have the opportunity to lead the Shenandoah University Men's Soccer team," said Kates. "I would like to thank the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Dr. Bridget Lyons, and the entire search committee for entrusting me with the men's soccer program. I am looking forward to this fantastic opportunity and continuing to grow this program on the field, in the classroom, and as members of the community." 
 
Kates officially starts his position in mid-April.
 
Shenandoah, coming off of an 8-7-2 season, opens its 2022 campaign on Sept. 3-4 at the Elmer Lord Tournament hosted by Salisbury University.

--- This release is courtesy of the Shenandoah University athletic communications department. ---
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