SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Boasting a decade of coaching experience at the collegiate and international levels, Matt Brown has been named the 12th coach of the Union College men's soccer program, Director of Athletics Jim McLaughlin '93 announced on Tuesday.
 
"The department is very excited to welcome Matt to lead our men's soccer program," McLaughlin said. "His experience at several Division I programs and his familiarity with strong academic institutions will be a great benefit to our soccer program and our department. I am very excited to see Matt lead the team onto the field this fall and look forward to seeing the soccer team continue to grow stronger both on and off the field."
 
"Thank you to Jim McLaughlin, Beth Tiffany and the search committee for entrusting me to lead the Union men's soccer program," said Brown. "Throughout my time on campus it was clear to see that Union College is a very special place with great people and I am delighted to be a part of that. I am eager to get going with the team, connecting with alumni and building relationships within the local community. It is a very exciting time to be a Dutchman!
 
Brown comes to Schenectady from Bucknell University, where he spent two years as an assistant coach before being elevated to interim head coach for the 2021 season. In his role as offensive coordinator, Brown headed up the planning and designing of team practices, video analysis, opponent scouting, scheduling, fundraising and alumni relations for the Division I program.
 
Brown previously served one season as head coach of the men's and women's soccer teams at Division II Shaw University, where he led both teams to the most wins in a season in the programs' brief histories.
 
Before his time at Shaw, Brown served as an assistant coach at Division I Elon University and the University at Buffalo. Focusing on the defensive side of the ball, he helped the Phoenix set new program single-season records for goals against average (0.57) and shutouts (10) in 2017, while guiding the Bulls to a program-record 10 shutouts in 2016.
 
A native of Southampton, England, Brown is a youth team product of Southampton FC, playing at the academy alongside players such as Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott and Adam Lallana. He played nine years at the semi-pro level in his native England, representing five teams and participating in more than 300 matches.
 
He earned a bachelor's degree in children's physical education from the University of St. Mark and St. John in the United Kingdom in 2011.

The 2022 Union men's soccer schedule will be announced in the coming weeks, as Brown and the Dutchmen look forward to competing for a Liberty League Tournament appearance in the fall.