A Biola University athletics press release announced this past week that Bryan Kuderman was stepping down from his position as men’s head soccer coach. Speculation has surrounded the situation as to why the most successful coach in program history would choose to not return to a thriving team, and Kuderman claims he was simply not asked to return.

University athletics tells one side of story

Athletic director Dave Holmquist praised the 11-year head coach for his work with the team and the success they had accomplished.

“Bryan did a really nice job,” Holmquist said. “His teams worked hard and they had good success.”

Holmquist went on to state the athletic department’s goal to install more permanent head coaches across Biola sports.

“We have an athletic plan that we are trying to bring on more full-time head coaches,” Holmquist said. “All of the coaches know that … and many of the part-time head coaches are not in a position [to do this] because they have a full-time job elsewhere where they make more money than they can make here.”

Ultimately, Holmquist came to a decision on the direction to take the program.

“Bryan wasn’t let go at all,” Holmquist said. “We want to have as many full-time head coaches on campus as we can. It’s just a challenge when you have a full-time job elsewhere and you come in the afternoon. It’s just difficult, so that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Former soccer coach gives his opinion

On the other side, Kuderman explained the situation as playing out much differently, saying he was kept separate from the the process.

“I was informed by Dave Holmquist that Biola would be hiring a full-time coach,” Kuderman said. “My understanding is that I would not be considered for this position because I teach at a public school currently during the day.”

Kuderman went on to add that he hoped an agreement could be reached to structure the full-time position to accommodate his employment elsewhere, or at the very least, consider him as a possible candidate.

“I thought given the success of my team, especially considering the limits we have, and the fact that my team likes me, that maybe one day that would be an option for me to take on that full-time option,” Kuderman said.

Ultimately, Kuderman found out he was not being considered and that the program was heading in a different direction.

“[I] did not ‘step down,’” Kuderman said. “I was simply not asked to return.”

New coach joins a strong program

Despite apparent discrepancies between both sides, many players have voiced acceptance of the new director of soccer, women’s soccer head coach Todd Elkins, who will now be coaching both teams.

“No one’s really happy with the way it was dealt with. We’re all accepting it, though. We welcome Todd,” sophomore defender Nate Robison said.

Holmquist praised Elkins for his work with the women’s team during the past few years and sees him as a great addition to an already strong men’s program.

“I think he’s a proven coach, he knows the game well, and I know he can teach it effectively,” Holmquist said. “I think [with] the combination of good coaching and great players, they’ll be a really competitive team.”

As for Kuderman, he leaves behind a tenure defined by his success year after year. With an overall record of 104-68-15, he leaves Biola with the highest win percentage of any coach in program history.