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PROVO — The BYU men's soccer team will name former goalkeeper Brandon Gilliam as the program's next head coach, the semiprofessional club announced Friday afternoon.
Gilliam graduated from BYU in 2008 with a degree in recreation management and youth leadership. He first suited up for the Cougars' soccer team in 2002 and started four of his five years with the team.
"Brandon will do a great job," said former coach Chris Watkins, who stepped down in August to focus on his role with the women's team. "He has the passion, and the love of the program and of the game to push the program forward. I'm proud that he is our next coach."
In 13 years since joining the program, Gilliam has helped oversee the Cougars' move from the collegiate club ranks to the semipro Premier Development League, one of the fourth tiers of the North American soccer pyramid. As a senior, he once ranked tops in the PDL in goals-against average.
"I am beyond excited to continue this tradition of producing successful, talented young men who will not only be great soccer players but will have the tools needed to take on the challenges they will face," Gilliam said in a statement.
A native of Dallas, Texas, Gilliam lives with his wife Nicole and two children in Lindon, Utah. A former BYU assistant coach, he has also assisted the Cougars in player development, marketing, merchandise and scheduling.
Gilliam retains assistant coach Steve Magleby on his staff, according to BYU website. A first-year assistant in 2015 under Watkins, Magleby also first suited up for the Cougars in 2002 and also played from 2005-09 following a two-year LDS church mission. A former member of the Real Salt Lake Reserve squad, Magleby will serve as the team's recruiting coordinator in addition to his role as assistant coach.
