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PROVO — BYU women's soccer will have a new coach on the bench for the upcoming season.
But he isn't moving too far.
Utah Valley women's soccer coach Brent Anderson stepped down to assume a new role as assistant coach with BYU women's soccer, the schools announced Friday. Anderson replaces Chris Watkins, who left this winter to take the head job at Gonzaga.
Anderson led the Wolverines for 11 seasons, compiling an overall record of 110-100-14 that included a 24-12-3 record in four seasons in the Western Athletic Conference. His teams have won at least 10 wins for three-straight seasons, including garnering the 2015 WAC Tournament title for the school's first-ever NCAA women's soccer tournament berth — the program's best season in school history.
That season ended, perhaps ironically, with a 1-0 loss at then-No. 13 BYU.
"I am deeply grateful to all those that I've been blessed to associate with during my time at UVU," Anderson said in a statement. "The administrators, coaches, trainers, advisors, staff and athletes are second to none, they are simply amazing people. We have experienced extraordinary growth over the past decade and created so many special moments and memories that will stay with me forever.
"I need to express my gratitude to all of my student-athletes for their trust, hard work and investment to build the program and achieve both academically and athletically here at UVU. I am looking forward to all they will accomplish in the future."
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Duffin and the Wolverines (14-6-1) will play in their first-ever NCAA Tournament match at 1 p.m. Saturday at BYU's South Field, going up against the No. 13 Cougars (13-2-2), who have reached the postseason 17 times in the past 25 years.Anderson will join assistant coach Aleisha Rose, as well as volunteer assistants McKinzie Olson and Rachel Jorgensen, on BYU coach Jennifer Rockwood's staff. Watkins left for Gonzaga on Dec. 12, and he brought along former Utah Valley standout Lexi Robison as well as BYU men's soccer alum Josh Patino as assistants Tuesdays.
"We are thrilled to welcome Brent to our BYU soccer family," Rockwood said in a statement. "He comes with tremendous experience at the Division I level having built the program at Utah Valley. I look forward to incorporating his perspective and new ideas that will help continue to build our program and develop our student-athletes at the highest level."
Anderson grew up in Logan and played goalkeeper for Utah State's club soccer program for four seasons before beginning his career with the Aggies. He and his wife Kathy are the parents of four children.
