David Brandt gets a deal with Hope Soccer

The Hope College men’s soccer program will begin a new chapter with another well-known coach from the NCAA ranks.

Dave Brandt brings his championship pedigree to Hope College after successful stops at Division III Messiah College (Pa.), and the Division I United States Naval Academy (Md.).

He won six NCAA Division III national championships in 12 seasons at Messiah and guided Navy to its first postseason win in 41 years.

As Hope’s ninth-time head coach all-time, Brandt, 55, succeeds Steven Smith, who retired as head coach in February after 28 seasons and 372 wins at Hope.

“We are excited and blessed to have Coach Dave Brandt joining Hope College and our men’s soccer program,” Co-Athletic Director Tim Schoonveld said.

After coaching professionally for one-and-a-half seasons with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the United Soccer League, Brandt is excited to return to college soccer.

That can be done at any level, but I would add, as I look back at my time in Division III, Division I and the pros, certainly some of my most challenging, amazing and competitive memories were in Division III.

At Messiah, Brandt led the Falcons to six NCAA Division III national championships, eight final fours, and a 246-25-14 record over 12 seasons between 1997-2008.