One of the most respected collegiate coaches and players in the rich history of New England soccer, Seamus Purcell begins his 21st season as head coach of the Bryant University men’s soccer program in 2016-17.
With an overall record of 129-174-32 (as of June 2016) spanning 20 seasons, Purcell led the Bulldogs to their second-straight Northeast Conference Tournament appearance in 2014.
Under Purcell’s direction, Bryant University has was one of the most consistently competitive teams in the Northeast-10 Conference, which has established itself as perhaps the top Division II soccer league in the nation.
Purcell led Bryant to one of the most successful seasons in school history in 2001 as the Bulldogs finished 12-8-0, including two wins against teams ranked in the final national top-25 poll.
Purcell was named the NE-10 Conference Coach of the Year and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America New England Region Coach of the Year in 2002 and was a finalist for national Coach of the Year honors.
Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Purcell was a member of Irish national team for three years, during which time he competed in both the European and World Cup Championships in the former Soviet Union. In 1985, Purcell enrolled at Providence College, where he was twice named an All-American and was a four-time All-New England selection.