Springfield, Ohio – For the first time since 1988, Wittenberg University’s men’s soccer will have someone other than Steve Dawson directing traffic from the sidelines as Brenton Dawson takes the reins of the program as the interim head coach for the 2015 season. 

A native of Springfield and a 2008 graduate of Capital University, Brenton Dawson has served as an assistant coach at Wittenberg for a total of four years. His first stint came in 2008 and 2009, and he returned for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. He served as an assistant to Tiger women’s soccer Head Coach Matt Fannon in 2014 as well. 

“The university is grateful that Brenton has accepted our offer to serve as interim coach for the upcoming season,” said Director of Athletics and Recreation Gary Williams. “Brenton has been a welcomed addition to our program and athletics department. His work on the field and from an operational perspective in recent years has given us the confidence to ask him to lead our program this spring and fall while Steve is on sabbatical.” 

Steve Dawson is a professor and department chair of Health, Fitness and Sport, and he will fulfill his duties to the university during the fall 2015 semester on an academic sabbatical. He came to Wittenberg in 1982 as both the men’s soccer head coach and a professor, and he has guided the Tigers to a career record of 297-251-39 in a total of 32 seasons. 

Chris Brown, the current head coach of Kenyon men’s soccer, served as Wittenberg’s head coach in 1988 while Steve Dawson served his last academic sabbatical. He led the Tigers to records of 9-6-3 overall and 5-2-1 in Wittenberg’s final season in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC). 

“While on sabbatical, Steve will continue our department’s efforts to fulfill Wittenberg’s mission and goals by spearheading the creation and implementation of a new master’s program in coaching,” Williams said. “His experience and passion for teaching has been instrumental in the early stages of developing this innovative program that will capitalize on Wittenberg’s tradition of excellence on the field and in the classroom.” 

In addition to his work as an assistant at Wittenberg, Brenton Dawson spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Heidelberg University, where he earned a master’s of education in 2012 after helping the Student Princes to the first OAC title in program history, and one season at NCAA Division II Tiffin University. In 2013, he also was head coach of the semi-pro Zanesville Athletic FC, a member of the National Premier Soccer League. 

Brenton Dawson’s coaching experience also includes years of instruction at camps and clinics and leading various age group teams with Club Ohio FC and Blast FC, in addition to the Olympic Development Program. His licensing includes a USSD National “B” License and an National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Premier Diploma. He also holds a State Goalkeeping Diploma from the NSCAA. 

“I am honored to be named the new head coach of Wittenberg’s men’s soccer program,” Brenton Dawson said. “Essentially growing up at Wittenberg, it has always held a special place in my heart, and with my father stepping away it is somewhat bittersweet for me. 

“The program itself has a very solid foundation, with a highly talented young group and some great leaders amongst the upperclassmen. It is a true privilege to work with these young men, and I look forward to guiding them both on and off the field as they prepare for the next stages in life.”

Written By: Ryan Maurer