A rising star in American soccer with ties to one of the most successful runs in Bradley Soccer history, Tim Regan begins his first year as the Head Coach for Bradley Men's soccer after six years as a Bradley assistant coach.

“I do not think it is an overstatement in saying the hiring of Tim Regan is a historic event for Bradley Soccer,” said Bradley head coach Jim DeRose when Regan's addition to the staff was announced in April 2017.  “I think we could fill an entire article on what he has accomplished as a student-athlete during his time at Bradley, however, it is what Tim has accomplished since leaving Bradley that makes his addition to our staff so historic.

“He has achieved success and the admiration of his peers and colleagues at every level of American soccer during the past 15 years, spanning MLS, NASL, PDL, US National Teams and the United States Developmental Academy,” DeRose added.  “There simply are not many coaches currently at the college level as a head coach or assistant coach that can boast the skill set and success Tim has achieved at the various levels of soccer in our country.

Regan backed up DeRose’s statement during his first three years on the Bradley coaching staff.  In his first season on the staff in 2017, Bradley was the most-improved team in the nation by jumping from a 2-15-3 (.184) record in 2016 to an 11-7-3 (.595) campaign, which saw the Braves playing for a conference title in the last weekend of the regular season.  In his second year in 2018, Bradley began the year by extending its overall unbeaten streak to 12 games (8-0-4), the second-longest unbeaten run in program history, and the Braves completed the year unbeaten (7-0-4) in non-conference action for just the second time in program history.  Bradley completed its third consecutive winning season in Regan's three years on staff in 2019 (8-7-4) by adding a third-place finish in the Missouri Valley Conference standings and a run to the MVC Men's Soccer Championship semifinals.

“After six years as a Major League Soccer player, Tim has served as a head coach and assistant coach at the professional and elite youth levels, as an advance scout for both individual players and teams in MLS and U.S. Soccer, both domestically and abroad, he has served as an international instructor to aspiring professional scouts and scouting directors; and on the administrative side, he has been directly involved in player acquisitions, contract negotiations and budgeting at a multi-million dollar level with relationships around the world.

“During that time, there has always been one constant since the day I first met Tim,” DeRose continued, “a driving work ethic, intense competitiveness, an unyielding desire to succeed and to always be the finest representative to his family and the organizations he represents.  His philanthropic commitment to his teams and their communities was unparalleled and he will bring that mentorship to our student-athletes as they develop academically, athletically and socially.”

Regan starred at Bradley from 1999-2002 and left as one of the most-decorated student-athletes in Bradley Athletics history, capped by his induction into the Bradley Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014.  A member of the Missouri Valley Conference All-Centennial Team, Regan primarily played in a defensive midfield position throughout his collegiate career and he was named the Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a second-team NSCAA/adidas All-American as a senior in 2002.  In addition to his performance on the field, Regan was a two-time MVC Scholar-Athlete first-team selection and he earned the 2003 Charles Orsborn Award as Bradley University’s senior student-athlete who best combined athletic and academic achievement with community service.

During his four seasons on the pitch for the Braves, Bradley compiled a 51-30-7 (.619) overall record, made the first three MVC Men’s Soccer Championship title game appearances (1999, 2000, 2002) in program history and earned the first two NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship appearances (2000, 2002) in program history.  In his six combined seasons as a player and assistant coach at Bradley, the Braves boast a 70-42-14 (.611) record.

The four-time All-MVC honoree was selected with the 17th overall pick in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft by the MetroStars and went on to enjoy a six-year playing career with the MetroStars (2003-05), Chivas USA (2006), New York Red Bulls (2007) and Toronto FC (2008).  He totaled 81 career games played in MLS, including 65 as a starter, while logging 5,813 minutes in his defensive position.  During each of his three seasons with the MetroStars, Regan was selected the club’s US Soccer Humanitarian of the Year.

Since his retirement as a player, Regan has embarked on an impressive administrative and coaching career that has included positions in Major League Soccer, the United States Soccer Federation, one of the nation’s premier club teams and collegiate soccer.

Upon his retirement as a player, Regan remained with Toronto FC as Chief Scout from 2008-11, while also serving as an assistant coach for USSF Youth National Teams at the U-15, U-17, U-18 and U-20 levels from 2008-13.  From 2011-12, he also served USSF as Technical Advisor and Youth National Team Scout and from 2012-13, Regan worked as the St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club Development Academy Director and U-17/18 head coach.

Regan returned to Bradley from Indy Eleven of the North American Soccer League, where he worked from 2013-17 as an assistant coach, interim head coach and director of soccer operations.  During the fall of 2016, he also worked as an assistant coach at DePauw University, helping the Tigers to the second round of the NCAA Division III Men’s Soccer Championship.  Regan will add to his diverse coaching experience in 2020 as the inaugural head coach of Peoria City, a USL League Two expansion franchise.

Regan is married to former Bradley University volleyball star Jenna Passman Regan, who was inducted into the Bradley Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016, making the couple the first husband-and-wife duo to each be enshrined in the school’s athletics hall of fame.  The couple has two children, Micah and Brynne.

What Others Are Saying

Tim Hankinson, Indy Eleven Head Coach

“I have been working at the professional or collegiate level for 38 years with 100 assistant coaches and Tim is the best I’ve ever had.  I know he will help accelerate the Bradley Soccer program to new levels of achievement.  We’ll miss him, but will always appreciate his efforts on behalf of Indy Eleven.”

Tab Ramos, United States U-20 Men’s National Team Head Coach

“Tim is an outstanding person, one of the brightest young coaches in the country and his work ethic is second to none.  I feel that this will put Bradley University in the national spotlight and its student-athletes in a great situation to develop as soccer players and people.”

Carlos Somoano, University of North Carolina Men’s Soccer Head Coach (2011 National Champion, National Coach of the Year)

“Tim’s experience speaks for itself, but his true quality lies in his ability to care for and relate to young adults.  I think Tim is perfectly suited for enhancing student-athlete development and growth.  Congratulations to Coach DeRose for bringing him back to Bradley University.”

Jay Vidovich, University of Pittsburgh Men’s Soccer Head Coach (2007 National Champion, Two-Time Coach of the Year)

“Congratulations to Coach DeRose and Bradley University.  Tim Regan is a great hire for Bradley and college soccer.  Tim is a winner, as well as a quality person who will prove to be a tremendous mentor for the student soccer players at Bradley.  Tim has a wealth of experience that college soccer will benefit from, starting from the time he sweat and bled for the Braves to his time playing in the MLS to scouting and coaching in the pros and with US Soccer.”