By Kat Frazier
Sports Editor
Last month Drew Courtney joined Bryan’s Athletic Department as head men’s soccer coach. Courtney, a native of Chattanooga, joined the staff March 17 after three seasons at Covenant College (Lookout Mountain, Ga.).
Courtney attended NCAA Division II Lander University (Greenwood, S.C.) where he received a B.A. in Business Administration. While there he played soccer as a four-year starting outside midfielder.
Following graduation in 2008, he played as out-side midfielder and left back for the Southern California Seahorses of the Premier Development League (PDL), Mississippi Brilla of the PDL and the Chattanooga Football Club of the National Premier Soccer League before retiring as a professional player in 2011.
Courtney began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Bellhaven University (Jackson, Miss.) in 2009. While at Bellhaven, he received an MBA in Business Administration and met his wife, Cassie.
After two seasons with the Blazers, he became the Assistant Varsity and Head JV Men’s Soccer Coach at Covenant in 2011. During his time at Covenant he helped the soccer program transition into a NCAA Division III competition.
Courtney is no stranger to Bryan. He spent time watching his older brother, Russell (Class of 2004), play soccer for the Lions under former head coach Sandy Zensen.
Courtney says he chose to coach at Bryan not only because of the relationship he has with Zensen and former head coach Joey Johnson, but also because of what the school stands for as an institution. He has a lot of respect for Zensen and Johnson and what they have done with the program.
Courtney believes that his time playing as a professional will help with coaching because it has given him many different perspectives on the game, saying, “You learn what’s successful and what’s not and develop knowledge of tactics and techniques.”
He hopes to lead the team to another AAC Championship title and send them to the second round of the NAIA Tournament. In addition, he wants to get the players involved in the community and on campus.
“I want to help them mature not just as soccer players but as men. Ultimately, soccer will end for all of them,” he stated. “I want them to be prepared for life outside of it.”
Courtney enjoys running, golf, down time with his wife, watching sports, water activities and camping.
When it comes to professional soccer, he enjoys cheering for the USA Men’s National Team and Manchester United of Barclays Premier League.
