Saint Leo University Vice President and Director of Athletics, [Francis X. Reidy](https://saintleolions.com/staff.aspxstaff=9) announced on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, the hiring of Brett Parker as the ninth head coach in the men's soccer program's 51-year history. Parker joins the Lions after a run to the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer National Semifinals with Fort Hays State. "We are excited to welcome Brett Parker as our next men's soccer coach. He has a proven ability to build programs into winners," University Vice President and Director of Athletics [Francis X. Reidy](https://saintleolions.com/staff.aspxstaff=9) stated. "This was a very difficult selection process but Brett's competitive nature, fit with our staff and his vision for the program were a clear match from the start." "I'd like to thank Mr. Reidy and the search committee for believing and trusting in me for taking over a program with proud tradition and see my vision for the future of the program," Brett Parker mentioned. "I am excited for the opportunity to coach at Saint Leo and in the Sunshine State Conference, which most regard as the toughest conference in Division II." The 11-year coaching veteran was the first head coach at Fort Hays State and reached the NCAA tournament in seven consecutive seasons while putting together a [100-40-18](tel:100-40-18)record at the helm of the Tigers over eight years. Reidy continued, "Brett's seven consecutive NCAA appearances highlighted with a Final Four this past season are truly impressive. I believe we have recruited one of the best head coaches in all of Division II to lead our program." At the helm, Parker has guided his programs to 10 or more wins in 10-straight seasons on his way to putting together a [126-61-21](tel:126-61-21)overall record, a .606-winning percentage. Parker has led his teams to seven NCAA regional tournaments, three quarterfinals appearances and one national semifinals appearance, which came this past season as the Tigers tied the eventual-National Champion Barry University, 0-0, before falling in penalty-kicks. Parker added, "I look forward to hitting the ground running and looking to get the program back to where it was just a few short years ago." This past season at Fort Hays State Parker, who was a two-time Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Coach of the Year (2017 and 2018), and his staff were named the Central Region coaching staff of the year by the United Soccer Coaches. He has coached six Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) All-Americans, two United Soccer Coaches All-Americans, 39 D2CCA All-Central Region selections, four conference players of the year, three regional players of the year and one D2CCA national player of the year in Santiago Agudelo. A Bozeman, Mont. native, Parker is a 2006 graduate of Ottawa (Kan.) University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology before going on to complete his Master of Science in Health and Human Performance at Fort Hays State in 2017. Parker played two years at Ottawa University where he was the 2006 First Team All-KCAC and Defensive Player of the Year while being selected as a NAIA All-Region IV player before going on to being named a NAIA Honorable Mention All-America.