ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Northwestern Women's Soccer program has found its new leader. After a long, nation-wide search, Danny Brandt was announced as the third head coach in program history on Tuesday, bringing with him an impressive winning pedigree as both a coach and a player.
 
Brandt comes to Northwestern after spending two seasons as the Men's Soccer Associate Head Coach at Division II Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, under Central Pennsylvania and Penn State legend Derek Potteiger. While also serving as the team's Recruiting Coordinator, he helped guide the Flames to a Gulf South Conference Semifinal appearance, two wins over nationally-ranked opponents and a two-week stay in the top-25 national poll.
 
"I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead the UNW Women's Soccer Program, and am so excited about the Christ-centered mission of both the university and the athletic department," Brandt remarked. "I want to thank President Hoornbeek, Dr. Matt Hill, and the rest of the search committee for entrusting me with the leadership of a program with so much potential. I couldn't be more excited to get started."
 
Prior to his time at Lee, Brandt served as the Head Men's Soccer Coach at Olivet Nazarene University, an NAIA program in Chicago. In his one season at the helm, he led the Tigers to their best record in program history at 16-2-3. Under Brandt's leadership, ONU also won the CCAC regular season and tournament championships, and was ranked in the national top 25 every week of the season. The Tigers earned a bid to the NAIA National Tournament and finished the season ranked 17^th in the country.
 
From 2019-2022, Brandt spent time as the primary Assistant Men's Soccer Coach at Division III Carnegie Mellon University, as well as a brief stint at Division I Bucknell University before Olivet Nazarene tabbed him as its head coach. His coaching career began in 2018 as an assistant with the Hope College men's program, where he helped the Flying Dutchmen to a 14-3-1 record in his lone season on campus.
 
Coach Brandt not only has a winning track record as a coach, but also as a player. He graduated from DIII stalwart Messiah College in 2018 with a pair of NCAA National Championships to his credit (2013, 2017). A two-time First Team All-MAC Commonwealth Conference selection (2014, 2017), Brandt was also an All-Mid-Atlantic Region selection in 2014. After his college career ended, he appeared in seven games and made six starts for the Ocean City Nor'easters, a professional soccer team in USL League Two.
 
Northwestern Director of Athletics, Dr. Matt Hill, is happy to have Brandt in the fold. "I am excited to welcome Coach Danny Brandt to the UNW family," Dr. Hill said. "His faith values align with Compete With Purpose and our core values. His collegiate playing experience, coaching experience, and desire to be at a faith-based university will serve our Women's Soccer team well."
 
In addition to his role leading the Women's Soccer team, Coach Brandt will also oversee UNW's intramural program. He will officially assume his duties on February 24^th.