BROCKPORT, N.Y. – The College at Brockport is pleased to announce the hire of Mike Idland as the new women's soccer head coach after an extensive search that yielded many qualified candidates. Idland's impressive resume spans several different levels of soccer in which he most recently led the women's team for the University of Pittburgh at Bradford.
"One of the most important things for me is to respect and build upon Joan Schockow's work," responded Idland. "I'm walking into a solid team. I want to continue the work and gel with what they've already built while pushing the team with my own perspective while incorporating my recruiting process."
In Idland's eight seasons with the Panthers he accumulated a record of 88-54-6, including an Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) record of 49-22-2. The Panthers team qualified for seven straight conference postseasons including four straight runner-up seasons. During that time the Panthers have dominated the AMCC awards with numerous All-Conference honors in addition to Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Idland was first named the AMCC Coach of the year in 2011 after leading Pitt-Bradford to an impressive 13-3-2 record. He also was awarded the AMCC Co-Coach of the year this past season. Idland's 2014 team set a new school record after a 15-5-0 year, which also resulted in the program's first ever regular season championship.
Additionally Idland serves as a senior staff member of the Region I Girls' Olympic Development Program (ODP) and as the head coach of the Under-14 Girls team for the Western New York Flash Academy, which is a premier youth soccer club in the Buffalo area. He also holds a United State Soccer Federation National Coaching "A" (USSF "A") license.
Idland promotes a great balance between athletics and academics. In 2012-13 his team achieved a department high GPA of 3.35 which also earned the 2013 Team Academic Award from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSAA). This season he rejoins the State University of New York (SUNY) school system where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from SUNY Cortland and a Master of Arts in English from the University at Buffalo.
"I have a place in my heart for the SUNYAC and SUNY system as a student and as a coach," said Idland. "The SUNY system is well-grounded and the people are down to earth. I appreciate the level of education."
Prior to coaching the Panthers Idland worked for Canisius College as the assistant and interim head coach in the 2007-08 academic year. His first coaching experience came within the SUNYAC at Buffalo State. He worked with the Bengals from 2003-07 as an assistant coach with goalkeeper training as one of his main responsibilities.
"Mike (Idland) has built a successful program at Pitt-Bradford," said Brockport Athletic Director Erick Hart. "I feel like Brockport has exceptional facilities and academics that will enhance Mike's recruitment process. With his personality and expertise, he will undoubtedly be successful with all of the amenities that our school has to offer."
Idland has built a strong reputation amongst many of the nation's top young women soccer athletes. From 2004 to 2010 he worked in various roles at the nationally-renowned Joe Machnik's No. 1 Soccer Camps. Upon news of his hiring Idland immediately began the recruitment process for Brockport.
"I was out in Buffalo recruiting for the Golden Eagles," said Idland, "not necessarily for this season but with an eye on the future. From everything I gathered about Brockport we have a strong chance to compete in the conference now and in years to come."
