Mississippi Brilla FC News Release -- www.brillasoccer.org
Thursday, December 11, 2014
CLINTON, Miss. -- Mississippi Brilla FC announced today that Mark McKeever has been appointed the Head Coach of the PDL team. Mississippi Brilla will enter its ninth season in the league with its fourth head coach. McKeever replaces Drew Courtney after two seasons. Courtney elected to step away from the PDL to focus on his new coaching position at Bryan College.
McKeever, a native of Motherwell, Scotland, recently completed his 10th year at the helm of Young Harris College in North Georgia. He guided the 2014 squad to the program’s finest season with a 19-1-1 record, a Peach Belt Conference Championship, a Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championship, and the school’s first appearance in the NCAA Division II Tournament. The Mountain Lions advanced to the quarterfinals before falling to the eventual champion, Lynn University. The team was recognized for their outstanding season with a final ranking of fifth in the NCAA Division II national poll.
On Tuesday, McKeever was honored as the NSCAA Division II Southeast Region Coach of the Year. In addition to his individual award, a number of his players garnered recognition for their success on and off the field. Five of his players earned All-Peach Belt honors, including the conference Player of the Year. That same player, Ilija Ilic, was named National Player of the Year, and two players were selected as All-Americans. Young Harris also won the NSCAA Team Academic Award for the fourth consecutive year.
“We truly believe that we are bringing in one of the top college coaches in our country,” said Executive Director Rusty Bryant. “Coach Mark is a proven recruiter, motivator, mentor, and winner. We are thrilled to have him part of the Brilla family.”
McKeever had a successful collegiate playing career himself, starring for Tyler Community College in 1997-1998. He earned NJCAA All-American honors in 1998. He completed his degree and college-playing career at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, where he was named the Gulf South Conference Player of the Year in 2000.
Brilla will not be McKeever’s first experience in the USL, as the Nashville Metros elected him fourth in the USL Professional draft. Following his playing career, McKeever earned his first coaching stint as a CBU assistant in 2003.
Coach McKeever’s accreditation includes the Scottish Football Association “D” license, the NSCAA National, Advanced National, and Premier Diploma.
“I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve as head coach for the Mississippi Brilla,” said McKeever. “I am really excited about making my contribution to the team and I hope my commitment to achieving high standards on and off the field will reflect the mission of Brilla. I would like to thank Rusty Bryant and everyone involved with the Brilla for their confidence and support.”
Mississippi Brilla FC will kick off its PDL season in May. Tryouts in early 2015 will be announced in the coming weeks. Visit www.brillasoccer.org for more information.