NORMAL, Ill.  – New head women's soccer coach Eric Golz has completed his coaching staff, as he announced the hiring of assistant coach Brad Silvey Friday. Silvey has had a successful coaching career at various levels of the game, and will bring a wealth of knowledge to Illinois State.
"I first would like to thank the administration, staff, and especially, Eric and Ashlee (Pistorius Slayback) for opening the Redbird world to both me and my family," Silvey said. "The time, consideration, and care that I have already been given is a perfect reflection of a successful institution. I cannot wait to surround myself with this organization on a daily basis."
Silvey joins the Redbird soccer program after six years with the Iowa Western Community College women's soccer team as the head coach. During his time with Iowa Western, Silvey oversaw all operations involving the program, including recruiting, practice plans, strength and conditioning, as well as recovery training. Silvey was also responsible for team and player management, game analysis and budget management. During his five seasons, Silvey gained experience in field preparation, game management, fundraising, organizing camps, while tracking the academic status of his teams.
"I am ecstatic that Brad has decided to join our staff here at Illinois State. He is another fantastic addition that will be a great fit for both the culture in the department and in our soccer program," Golz said. "He comes to us with a great track record of success at Iowa Western Community College. He has a proven ability to develop elite talent, identify and recruit elite talent, and to do both in a manner that emphasizes the holistic development of the person, the student and the player. He is a man of great character, and he is quite simply a winner. We cannot wait to add Brad and his family to our family here at ISU.
At the helm of IWCC, Silvey led his team to a national championship in 2013 and a national runner-up in 2014. For the performance during the 2013 season, Silvey was named the 2013 NSCAA National Coach of the Year. He coached his teams to four district championships, as well as six regional and conference titles. Silvey was also able to develop his players, coaching a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Player of the Year, 11 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-Americans and 12 NSCAA All-Americans. In addition to his student-athletes performing well on the pitch, they also got the job done in the classroom, as 16 of Silvey's players were named NJCAA Academic All-Americans.
"The ISU soccer program has historically seen tremendous success, and I am excited to play a role in maintaining and even improving the vision and culture that is Redbird Soccer," Silvey added.
Prior to being the head coach at IWCC, Silvey served as the assistant coach for three seasons with the Reivers. As the assistant, Silvey worked with both the men's and women's soccer programs. His focus was on recruiting, team and goalkeeper training, strength and conditioning, as well as team and player evaluations and game analysis.
"With the addition of both Brad and Ashlee, we have the pieces in place to continue to build a special program that will be a source of pride for all involved with ISU women's soccer," Golz said. "This staff is going to do an incredible job of providing our student-athletes with the tools to maximize their personal and collective development, and be highly successful in all phases of their collegiate experience."
Before he began coaching at the collegiate level, Silvey was the technical director and coach of three soccer clubs. He has experience coaching clubs from 10-and-under to 18-and-under, including the EGA Maroon U17/U18 in the National Premiere League in Omaha, Nebraska, for two seasons.
From 2008 to 2012, Silvey was the head girls soccer coach at Glenwood Community High School in Glenwood, Iowa. In four of his five seasons at the helm of GCHS, the team was ranked in the top-10 in the state with a ranking as high as No. 3 in 2012. Silvey was also the co-founder and director of the Council Bluffs United Soccer Academy and worked as an Olympic Development Program staff member.
Silvey was a standout player at Iowa Western and was a two-time ICCAC First Team All-Region and a NSCAA All-Region Honorable Mention. He earned his bachelor's degree in business, marketing and finance in 2008 from Buena Vista. Silvey holds a USSF "A" and NSCAA Goalkeeper license.
Silvey and his wife, DeAnna, have two children, Donovan (7) and Chamae (4). The family will reside in the Bloomington-Normal area.
GoRedbirds.com:Â Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.ÂÂÂÂ
