Shenandoah University entered a new era in March, 2022 with the appointment of former Susquehanna University standout Brandon Kates as the head men's soccer coach.

Kates came to Shenandoah after three seasons as an assistant coach at Widener University and is the seventh full-time head coach in program history.

In 2023, Kates earned ODAC Coach of the Year after leading his team to its most wins in over 20 years. The men finished fourth in the ODAC and made it's first ever appearance in the conference semifinals after winning the program's first ever home playoff game in the quarterfinals. Along with Kates' coach of the year accolade, four of his players earned All-ODAC honors, the most in program history.

Year

Overall

ODAC

Place

2022

2023

4-6-6

9-5-4

1-5-4

5-2-3

12th

4th

Kates helped the Pride to 19 wins in the two full seasons with the program and a 2-1-1 mark in the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign. The 19 wins represent the most successful two-year span in the past five years and Widener had a pair of post-season wins for the first time in program history.

He also was instrumental in recruiting the program’s first-ever MAC Offensive Player of the Year and first-ever All-Region player.

Prior to his time at Widener, Kates was an assistant at DI Lafayette College from 2017-2019 after serving as an assistant at his alma mater, Susquehanna University, from 2015-2017. The Cherry Hill, New Jersey native was a third-year starter for the River Hawks and a third team All-America honoree following his senior season.

A 2013 Susquehanna graduate, Kates got his coaching start at Lycoming College in 2013. He was an assistant for the Warriors for two seasons.