Bryan Goyings '04 Named Women's Soccer Coach

E-Mail: bgoyings@kzoo.edu

April 12 - Laura (Whiteley) Passage ’96 announced her resignation as the head women’s soccer coach at Kalamazoo College on Friday, April 11. Passage is replaced as head coach by fellow Kalamazoo College alumnus Bryan Goyings ’04, who has served as Passage's assistant coach for the past two seasons. Goyings becomes the eleventh coach in the 26-year history of the Kalamazoo College women’s soccer program.

Bryan Goyings '04

Goyings joined the Kalamazoo College women's soccer coaching staff in 2006, and was an integral part in the team’s success during his two seasons on staff. The Hornets finished third in the MIAA in 2007. No stranger to Hornet soccer, Goyings was a four-year letter winner on the men's side (2000-03). He was a defender on three MIAA championship teams and two NCAA Division III tournament teams. Goyings scored four goals his senior season.

“I am thrilled to take over the women’s soccer program at this time,” Goyings said. “In the past three seasons Coach Passage has done a great job bringing the program back to where it should be, consistently competing for the MIAA title and an NCAA tournament berth. I learned an immense amount from Coach Passage and plan to maintain and build on the standard she has set on the playing field, in the community, and most importantly, in the classroom.”

Following graduation from Kalamazoo College, Goyings became heavily involved as a coach in the local youth soccer scene, where his varying posts included time as the head junior varsity girls' coach at Wayland High School, the assistant boys' varsity coach at Plainwell High School, a staff coach for the Portage Lightning Soccer Club, and as a staff coach with the Kalamazoo Kingdom Reserves soccer club.

Originally from Jackson, Mich., Goyings is a graduate of Lumen Christi High School. He currently holds the highest licensing of any active collegiate soccer coach in the Kalamazoo area (of both men's and women's coaches), with a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) "B" License, a National Youth License, and a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Regional Goalkeeping Diploma. He resides in Kalamazoo.

“I think the transition will be smooth and I plan to get to work right away,” Goyings said. “I am familiar with the high caliber people the team currently consists of and owe it to them to do everything possible to set them up for success on the field, in the classroom and once they leave Kalamazoo College. I have a strong respect for the current players and will recruit to maintain the standard of both strong athletes and great people.

“I am a strong believer in the Division III philosophy,” Goyings added. “As a student-athlete I had an extraordinary experience at Kalamazoo and want other students to have the same opportunities I had.”
Coach Passage has high praise for her former assistant.

"I leave knowing that the Hornet women's soccer program is now on the right track, and that it will remain in incredibly good hands," said Passage. "Coach Goyings is wonderful for Kalamazoo College athletics. He has the knowledge and expertise--both on and off the field--to ensure that Hornet women's soccer can both meet, and exceed, the high level of success that it has achieved in the past."

"I have thoroughly enjoyed the past three years while coaching at Kalamazoo College,” Passage added. “I am grateful for the opportunity to have returned to my alma mater to begin rebuilding the Hornet women's soccer program.”

Passage was named head coach at the conclusion of the 2004 season, and immediately helped rebuild the Hornet program during her next three years. After inheriting a program which had gone 24-31-3 (.440) during the three years prior to her arrival, Passage led the Hornets to a 29-20-6 record (.582) during her three years as head coach, including the team's best MIAA finish in six years, when the Hornets placed third in 2007.  Passage also helped lead the Hornets to its 300th overall victory on October 24, 2006, making Kalamazoo College the first college in Michigan to reach this landmark. She was the first female head coach in the program's history, and remains the only alumnus of the women's team to return as head coach.

Kristen Smith, Kalamazoo College’s Director of Athletics, said, “Laura’s passion for and devotion to Kalamazoo College women’s soccer was very evident during her time here. She has done a wonderful job rebuilding the program and has reestablished expectations of excellence and success. While she will be missed, we remain grateful for all that she has done for women’s soccer and the athletic department.

“At the same time, I am pleased that Bryan has accepted the opportunity to move into the head coaching position,” Smith added. “Laura has done a tremendous job mentoring Bryan and developing his skills to be able to take over his own program. He has a great deal of soccer knowledge and an unending passion for Kalamazoo College. His moving into the head position from being an assistant will allow for a smooth transition.”

In its 26-year history, the Kalamazoo College women’s soccer program has an overall record of 311-129-30 for a .662 winning percentage. In MIAA competition, Kalamazoo has won 71.8 percent of its contests (158-52-10). Kalamazoo has won the most MIAA women’s soccer championships (8) and has made six NCAA III Tournament appearances.