The national champion Franklin Pierce University men’s soccer team has named Travis Brent as its new head coach after Ruben Resendes departed to head up the program at Bryant University.
Brent joins the Ravens following four years as an assistant coach with the University of Charleston men’s soccer program. As an assistant, Brent helped the Golden Eagles to a 71-6-4 record, during which time the program claimed four MEC Conference championships, two NCAA DII Super Region 1 titles and a single NCAA DII National Title in 2019. In 2022, the Golden Eagles pulled together a 22-2-0 record, once again advancing into the NCAA Super Region 1, where they faced the host Franklin Pierce University Ravens in the regional championship match.
Prior to coaching at Charleston, Brent served as the assistant coach for the Francis Marion University soccer program in Florence, S.C. Brent has also coached club soccer both internationally and in the United States in tandem with his playing career, for teams like Football SEH (Netherlands), South-Central Pennsylvania Soccer Academy, Florence Soccer Association, and West Virginia Football Club.
A native of Virginia Beach, Va., Brent spent two years overseas playing professionally in the Netherlands with clubs Heracles Almelo (2014-2015) and Almere City FC (2015-2016). Upon his return stateside, Brent continued his professional career for one year as a member of the USL Championship club Harrisburg City Islanders (2017-2018).
As a collegiate player, Brent spent four seasons at Marshall University in West Virginia, where he started in 62 of 65 matches played, receiving Conference USA All-Freshmen Team (2010) and Conference USA Third Team (2013) accolades along the way. During the 2012 season, Brent helped the Thundering Herd to nine defensive shutouts and the third-best team shutout percentage in the nation. Brent graduated from Marshall University in 2014, earning his bachelor’s degree in economics. Brent has additionally earned a master’s degree of Science in Strategic Leadership from the University of Charleston in 2020.
This past season, Resendes ushered Franklin Pierce’s men’s soccer team to the NCAA Division II Championship. Under his guidance for four seasons, the team consistently ranked in the top 10, including a No. 1 ranking this season, before claiming the national title. The Ravens finished 25-0-1 overall, tying the record for highest winning percentage for a school to claim a national title in NCAA history.
“I would like to thank President (Kim) Mooney, Athletic Director Rachel Burleson, Associate Athletic Director Jen McKillop, and Assistant Athletic Director Zach Emerson for the opportunity to lead the men’s soccer program at Franklin Pierce over the last four years,” Resendes said. “I would also like to thank all of the players, staff, local community, and alumni for making my time at FPU so special. I wish the program nothing but success moving forward.”
Champions of the Northeast-10 Conference for the second year in a row, Resendes and the Franklin Pierce coaching staff were recognized as the United States Soccer Coaches as the East Region Coaching Staff of the Year for both years. Prior to arriving at Franklin Pierce, Resendes was the top assistant coach at the University of Vermont, helping guide the Catamounts to an America East Conference Championship in 2017. He also served as the head coach at Dean College, where he helped transition the program to the NCAA level. During his time at Dean, Resendes posted a 33-3 record, winning the regular-season championship with a 16-1 record and earning East Region Coach of the Year honors. He also worked with the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer as scout for the first team and academy and coached the U23 and academy teams.