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Furman men’s soccer associate head coach and recruiting coordinator Brandon Tucker has been promoted to head coach, it was announced on Monday by vice president of intercollegiate athletics Jason Donnelly.
.@FurmanSoccer Coaching Staff Named United Soccer Coaches National Staff Of The Yearhttps://t.co/lC7tBGL22K
— Furman Paladins (@FurmanPaladins) December 19, 2025
Tucker, a native of Englewood, Colo., replaces Doug Allison, who retired following his 31st year in charge of the Paladin program. In nine seasons working under Allison, the last three as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator, Tucker helped lead Furman to a 92-49-26 overall record, 32-13-9 Southern Conference mark, three SoCon regular season titles, three league tournament crowns, three NCAA Tournament berths, and the school’s first trip to the NCAA Men’s College Cup. The Furman coaching staff has earned back-to-back United Soccer Coaches South Region Staff of the Year honors and was named national coaching staff of the year following the 2025 season.
Tucker Promoted To @FurmanSoccer Head Coach https://t.co/8TnHkD8wNa
— Furman Paladins (@FurmanPaladins) December 22, 2025
“Following a historic season, we are thrilled to announce Brandon Tucker as the next head coach of Furman men’s soccer,” said Donnelly. “Brandon has earned this opportunity through his loyalty, tireless work ethic, outstanding coaching ability, and proven success in recruiting and developing student-athletes on and off the field. This succession plan has been thoughtfully in place for several years, with Brandon learning under Doug Allison and gaining a deep understanding of the culture, traditions, and commitment to academic and athletic excellence that define our program. We look forward to supporting Brandon as he leads Furman soccer into its next chapter and continues to build on the program’s championship legacy.”
Your Paladins finished Top 3 in Top Drawer Soccer and United Soccer Coaches’ National Rankings! What a season!#FUAllTheTime pic.twitter.com/p8rnJc3Jic
— Furman Men's Soccer (@FurmanSoccer) December 18, 2025
Tucker helped guide the Paladins to a historic season in 2025 as Furman posted a 16-2-5 record, claimed the SoCon regular season and tournament titles, climbed to No. 1 in the Top-Drawer Soccer Top 25 for the first time in program history, and made its first run to the College Cup. The Paladins went undefeated in league play to claim the regular season title before downing nationally ranked UNC Greensboro in the SoCon title game at Stone Stadium. After receiving its first ever bye and national seed in the NCAA Tournament, the 16th seeded Paladins toppled Western Michigan and advanced past Hofstra on penalty kicks to reach the Elite Eight for the second time in school history. Furman took down No. 8 seed Portland on the road to reach the NCAA College Cup before falling to the Washington Huskies in the national semifinals.
2025 #MCollegeCup All-Tournament Team‼️🎉 pic.twitter.com/s7Pdbxkgp8
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 16, 2025
“I am deeply honored to step into the role of head coach for Furman men’s soccer,” said Tucker. “I want to express my gratitude to Jason Donnelly, and his executive staff for entrusting me to lead this program. For the past ten years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Doug Allison—someone who has shaped not only this program, but countless lives within and around it. Coach Allison’s 31 seasons of leadership have built a legacy defined by excellence, character, and traditions, and it is humbling to carry that forward.”
No one more deserving.
The United Soccer Coaches Letter of Commendation is presented to a recipient for their service to, impact on, and/or positive influence on the association and/or the game of soccer in the United States. #FUAllTheTime pic.twitter.com/tgUuoaAOOp
— Furman Men's Soccer (@FurmanSoccer) December 15, 2025
“Furman University holds a special place in my heart,” continued Tucker. “The alumni, traditions, culture, these players, and this university have become home to me and also my family. Together, we will continue to build on the standard that has been set—developing young men, emphasizing education, competing for Southern Conference championships, and pushing for deep NCAA Tournament runs. I can’t wait to feel the energy at Eugene Stone Stadium as we take our next steps.”
What a ride, @FurmanSoccer. #itsallhere
Full Press Conference: https://t.co/eDV0AxCmcE
📽️ @NCAASoccer pic.twitter.com/GxhgOWxVNx
— The Southern Conference (@SoConSports) December 13, 2025
“Lastly, I want to thank Coach Allison—not only for his mentorship, but for the friendship we’ve built over the last two decades. I look forward to keeping him close to the program as we honor the tradition he established and write the next chapter of Furman Soccer. Go Paladins!”
This season was bigger than a match. It was history. ✨
Thank you to our men’s soccer team for an extraordinary run, an unforgettable journey, and for representing Furman with class, passion, and resilience all year long.
We are endlessly proud of you. 💜 pic.twitter.com/824E9v6ouA
— Furman Alumni (@Furman_Alumni) December 13, 2025
Regarded as one of the top recruiters in the country, Tucker has helped the Paladins land top 30 recruiting classes in each of the last five years, including a seventh-ranked class in 2025 and 12th-ranked class in 2023. In his nine years with the Furman program, he has helped produce three SoCon Players of the Year, four goalkeepers of the year, and has help recruit two players that have garnered SoCon Freshman of the Year honors.
The 2018 season saw Furman post a 13-7-2 record, claim its 14th Southern Conference Tournament crown and advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after edging UNCW in an opening-round penalty shootout. Laurence Wyke, the SoCon Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, joined league goalkeeper of the year Ben Hale in earning first team All-SoCon honors.
Tucker helped the Paladins to a 12-5-3 overall record and a 5-2-3 Southern Conference mark in his first season with the Paladins in 2017. The Paladins made a return to the national rankings on the strength of a six-match winning streak that included a triumph over then No. 4-ranked Denver. Junior Laurence Wyke garnered SoCon Player of the Year honors and United Soccer Coaches All-South Region accolades.
A 2010 inductee into the Colorado Soccer Hall of Fame, Tucker served as a head coach and administrator with COEVER, Colorado’s premier soccer training academy. Tucker graduated from Presbyterian in 2007 with a degree in business administration and a concentration in management. He and his wife Anastashia are the parents of four children, Skie, Harper, Sawyer and Asher.
TUCKER AS AN ASSISTANT AT FURMAN
2017 Assistant Coach 12-5-3 5-2-3
2018 Assistant Coach 13-7-2 4-2-0 SoCon Tournament Champions
2019 Assistant Coach 11-7-1 5-1-0 SoCon Regular Season Champions
2020 Assistant Coach 7-2-1 5-0-1 SoCon Regular Season Champions
2021 Assistant Coach 7-9-1 4-2-0
2022 Assistant Coach 7-7-4 1-3-1
2023 Associate Head Coach 10-6-3 2-2-1
2024 Associate Head Coach 9-4-6 2-1-2 SoCon Tournament Champions
2025 Associate Head Coach 16-2-5 4-0-1 SoCon Champions/NCAA College Cup
Total 92-49-26 32-13-9
Courtesy: furmanpaladins.com Jordan Caskey
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