Briggs to step down as men's soccer coach
Mark Heath-Preston takes over as head coach after four years as an assistant
BELLEVUE, Neb. -- Bellevue University Athletic Director Ed Lehotak has announced Mark Heath-Preston as the sixth head men's soccer coach in program history. For the past four seasons Heath-Preston has served as former head coach Matt Briggs' right-hand man.
Briggs recently announced that he would be leaving Bellevue to take a position as an assistant coach of FC Kansas City of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) where he will also serve as the organization's sport scientist.
"We're very pleased to promote Mark to the role of head coach and feel he will continue the progress that has been made with the team. It has reached a national level and we expect Mark to continue the tradition of excellence that has become synonymous with BU soccer," said Lehotak. He continued by adding, "Being a former BU athlete and assistant coach, we feel he's a perfect fit and know that he will be successful."
As an assistant coach Heath-Preston helped lead the Bruins to a 46-24-7 (.643) record in four seasons while claiming three-straight conference tournament championships, including this year's inaugural North Star Athletic Association title over Jamestown. The Bruins have posted an overall 17-2-1 (.875) mark in conference play during his tenure as an assistant which includes winning conference regular-season championships in both 2014 and 2015.
A former Bruin standout as a player, Heath-Preston still maintains the school's career record for both goals (45) and points (107) while ranking fourth with 17 assists. In 2008 he set the school's single-season record of 17 goals and 14 points.
For his work on the pitch he was twice recognized as MCAC Offensive Player of the Year. Three times during his career he was named a first team all-MCAC selection and earned honorable mention NAIA All-America honors in 2008 and 2009. He helped lead Bellevue to four MCAC Championships during his Bruin career.
Heath-Preston takes over a team which has reached three-straight National Tournaments, including back-to-back appearances at the final site in each of the previous two seasons. The Bruins finished the 2014 season ranked No. 11 nationally and followed that up with a No. 17 national ranked at the conclusion of the 2015 campaign.
Coach Heath-Preston said of the appointment, "I'm delighted to become head coach within this great program, and I am very thankful to Ed Lehotak for giving me this opportunity. I would also like to thank Matt Briggs for all he has done for me and the program over the year; and we wish him the best in his new position with FCKC."
In the past two seasons the Bruins have accumulated a 27-7-6 (.750) record, including a sterling 9-1-2 (.833) mark in home fixtures. Bellevue looks to return seven starters in 2016 and has already made headway in the recruiting season with a couple of early commitments.