OSKALOOSA — William Penn Athletics Director Aleesha Rabedeaux has announced that Simon Brown has resigned as Head Men’s Soccer Coach.
Brown, who is leaving to pursue an assistant coaching position at the University of Wisconsin, has guided the Statesmen to their best run in program history.
“I am incredibly grateful for the everything that William Penn has given me for the past eight years,” Brown said. “To be a part of the growth in the soccer team has helped shape me as a coach and person.”
In five seasons at the helm, Brown owned a 69-32-9 record (.668 winning pct.), including a 36-16-6 mark in the Heart of America Athletic Conference, one of the toughest leagues in the NAIA.
He guided WPU to five NAIA National Championship appearances (6-5 record at nationals), highlighted by a trip to the Finals last December. Brown also led the squad to a Heart Championship crown, the first ever league title in program history.
While at William Penn, he coached six All-Americans, 20 all-Heart performers, one Heart Freshman of the Year, and one Heart Newcomer of the Year.
Prior to being head coach, Brown was an assistant coach for three years and helped the Statesmen to its first-ever trip to nationals.
“Thank you to President John Ottosson and Athletics Director Aleesha Rabedeaux for supporting and believing in our team,” Brown added. “Thanks to all of our GAs who did so much behind the scenes so we could succeed and a massive thank you to my assistant coach Joe Minton. He navigated the tough times as a player, GA during COVID, and now as an assistant. We would not have the team we have today without his recruiting experience.”
“To all my former players, I will forever be appreciative that you took a chance on us and believed in our vision,” Brown added. “Everyone sacrificed so much to bring a trophy to Oskaloosa. A final thank you to my fiancé Brady Clark. She has supported me through the wins and losses, time away from home, for the ultimate goal of winning. I look forward to supporting the program from afar and watching it hopefully go one step further next season.”
“We are incredibly thankful for Coach Brown’s commitment to William Penn and the men’s soccer program over the past eight years,” Rabedeaux said. “He has poured his heart into this program, and the legacy he leaves behind is one of excellence, passion, and genuine care for his student-athletes. He helped shape not only a championship-caliber team, but a family–one that believed in a vision and worked relentlessly to make it a reality. While we are sad to see him go, we are excited for his next chapter and know he will continue to make a positive impact wherever he goes. Thank you, Coach Brown.”
