By WJBC Staff
NORMAL – Brad Silvey has a championship pedigree and helped get the Illinois State soccer program back to the NCAA Tournament in 2016, and he will look to continue that success at Illinois State in his new role as the head coach of the Redbird soccer program, as announced by ISU Director of Athletics Larry Lyons Tuesday. Silvey takes over head coaching duties from Eric Golz, who left to take the head coaching position at Dayton.
“I am truly honored and privileged to be named as the new head women’s soccer coach at Illinois State University. This is honestly a dream come true for me and my family,” Silvey said. “We love this town, community and institution, and feel incredibly blessed to be here. I want to thank Eric Golz for providing me the opportunity to join the staff at Illinois State and would like to thank Larry Lyons, Leanna Bordner, and LB Lyons for this amazing opportunity, and for the trust and confidence they have expressed in my ability to run this esteemed program. Illinois State is a special place with an incredible story, and I am humbled to be a part of that story. My family and I have been proud Redbird supporters for the past two seasons and now look forward to many more.”
Silvey has been a part of the Redbird soccer coaching staff as an assistant coach the past two seasons, serving as the recruiting coordinator and midfielders coach. Silvey also provided assistance with scouting reports, team training, film analysis, player management and administrative responsibilities. Silvey helped Illinois State go on the longest unbeaten streak in program and Missouri Valley Conference history in 2016, going 15 matches without a loss. The Redbirds closed out the 2016 campaign with a 3-1 loss at No. 14 Duke in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, marking the third time in program history ISU has advanced to the second round. The Redbirds finished as the 2016 MVC Regular Season Champions and MVC Tournament Champions for the 11th and seventh time, respectively.
“Having been engrained with the women’s soccer program, we already have quality traction, which will enable us to build momentum, both academically and athletically,” Silvey continued. “We have extremely high expectations and objectives in place and I am confident that our current student-athletes, alongside our incoming classes, will be up for the challenges. I am excited to quickly and seamlessly transition into this new role and begin to add another remarkable chapter to Redbird Soccer.”
Silvey joined 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, training, strength and conditioning, as well as recovery training.
“I am pleased to announce that Brad Silvey will take over as head coach for our women’s soccer program,” Lyons said. “Brad is very familiar with our program, student-athletes, recruits and tradition. His championship pedigree as a former head coach qualifies him to help move our program forward and continue the successes he and the staff have helped us acheive the past two seasons. Illinois State soccer is in good hands and we are very excited about the future under Brad’s leadership.”
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 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (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 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.
Prior to being the head coach, Silvey served as the assistant coach for three seasons at IWCC. 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.
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 three children, Donovan (9), Chamae (6) and Anson (3 months). The family resides in the Bloomington-Normal area.
