Butler Adds Two Men's Soccer Coaches

Butler men’s soccer coach Kelly Findley has completed his staff for the 2009 season with the selection of two assistant coaches.  Steve Cox, who spent last season as Butler’s Director of Soccer Operations, has been named to fill one assistant coach position, while Bryce Cooper, a former head coach at Roncalli High School in Indianapolis, will fill the other.

“Steve and Bryce have been working with our program through the spring and have been great additions,” said Findley.  “They both have demonstrated great character, work ethic and expertise, and I know they both will help the Butler men’s soccer program continue to be successful on and off the field.”

The two new coaches will fill the openings created by the departure of former assistant coaches Mike Rivas and Miles Glynn.  Rivas left the Bulldogs to accept a position as head soccer coach at Monte Vista Christian High School in California, while Glynn stepped down to pursue a degree in web design.  Assistant coach David Costa returns for his fourth season.

Cox will take over duties as Butler’s goalkeeping coach, handling the technical and tactical training of the team’s goalkeepers.  He brings an extensive background in coaching, both on the collegiate and club levels.  He is the founder and director of USA Goalkeeping Academy and serves as the goalkeeping trainer for Noblesville United Soccer Club.  He further was assigned as the Indiana ODP Goalkeeping Coach last fall, as well as being assistant coach for the ‘93 Indiana ODP boys state team.  Previously, Cox had served as men’s and women’s assistant coach at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Ill.

A four-year starter and two-year captain on the men’s soccer team at Houghton College, Cox earned NAIA honorable mention All-America recognition as a senior.  He played in he Premier Development League with the Chicago Eagles, and he was a member of the U-17 and U-20 Canadian National Team programs.  A native of Toronto, Canada, he currently holds his USSF “D” license.

Cooper will serve as Butler’s primary fitness, strength and conditioning trainer, while assisting with other duties.  He was at the helm for the two best soccer seasons in Roncalli school history, guiding the Rebels to a two-year 35-10-0 record, two sectional championships and two regional titles.  He was named the Indianapolis Star Super Team Coach of the Year in 2007.  Prior to taking the position at Roncalli, Cooper served as head assistant coach at Bloomington North High School, helping the Cougars to a 2005 Hoosier Cup title, a sectional championship and a regional crown.

In addition to high high school coaching work, Cooper has been active on the club level.  He’s coached club teams in Evansville, Greenwood and Noblesville and has been involved in the Indiana ODP for the past two years.  He’s currently the ‘96 Indiana ODP boys assistant coach.

Cooper was a member of the men’s soccer team at Southern Indiana, helping the Screaming Eagles to three conference tournament appearances and a national ranking in 2003.  He earned a B.S. degree in 2004, and he currently holds a USSF “D” license and a NSCAA “National” license.