DAYTON, Ohio – University of Dayton Men’s Soccer Assistant Coach Chase Brooks has been selected as the next head coach of the Niagara Purple Eagles. 

Volunteer Assistant Coach Charlie Edwards has also been hired as an assistant coach at Bowling Green State University. Edwards is the third consecutive volunteer assistant to secure a full-time coaching job after volunteering at Dayton. Former volunteers Zac Gibbens (High Point) and Aaron Johnson (Campbell) are the other two.

“We are excited that Chase and Charlie have the opportunity for advancement.  Chase has been a part of our two championships in 2008 and 2009, which has given him the experience he needs to lead the way for Niagara University’s soccer program,” Dayton Head Coach Dennis Currier said. “He will be an excellent mentor for the student-athletes academically, in the community and on the soccer field.”

Brooks joins Niagara after spending four seasons as the top assistant coach for the Flyers. Brooks’ main focus was on recruiting scheduling, travel and player development, as well as serving as co-director of the UD Soccer Academy.

“Charlie was an ideal volunteer for our program and contributed greatly to our goalkeepers’ development this season,” Currier said.  “The University of Dayton takes great pride in the personal and professional advancements of its staff, and these two hires reflect the commitment to personnel development.”

During his time at Dayton, he helped the Flyers win the 2008 Atlantic 10 Tournament for their first championship in 10 years. Dayton went 15-4-3 overall, earned UD's first-ever berth to the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship and finished No. 1 in the NSCAA/adidas® Middle Atlantic Regional Rankings and No. 19 in the national rankings.

The next season, the Flyers followed that by claiming the 2009 A-10 regular season title with a 14-5-1 overall record. The 2010 Flyers finished with a 7-8-3 overall record while placing two Flyers on NSCAA All-Region Teams.

Last season, Brooks helped assemble a recruiting class that was ranked 20th in the nation by College Soccer News which included U.S. U-17 Captain and NSCAA All-American Midfielder Marlon Duran.

In his first season at UD, Brooks helped Dayton finish the 2007 season 10-4-5 overall and advance to the opening round of the 2007 Atlantic 10 Men's Soccer Championship. The Flyers had two players selected to the All-Atlantic 10 and NSCAA/adidas® Middle Atlantic Region teams and finished No. 8 in the regional rankings.

The Flyers return 22 to next year’s squad. Earlier this month, Dayton announced the addition of five student-athletes for the 2011 season. David Abidor, Max Odgaard, Ryan Peterson, Greg Enstone and Amoh Kwaku will play for UD next year.