Bryant Athletics announces Andrew Biggs as next women's soccer head coach

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University Director of Athletics Bill Smith is pleased to announce the hiring of Andrew Biggs as the next head coach of the Bulldog women's soccer program.

Biggs comes to Smithfield after spending five seasons on the bench of the Brown University men's soccer team, serving the last two as Associate Head Coach where he helped lead the Bears to three-straight NCAA tournament appearances and one Ivy League Championship.

Biggs was instrumental in Brown's three-year run in which the Bears put together a trio of 12+ win seasons from 2010-12, including back-to-back NCAA Sweet 16 runs in 2010-11 and an NCAA Second Round appearance in 2012. Working closely with the defensive unit, Biggs helped the Bears post 11 shutouts in three-consecutive seasons from 2010-12 and helped Brown become one of just nine Division I programs ranked in the final Top-20 poll for three-straight seasons (2010-12).

During his tenure at Brown, Biggs played a part in the development of 29 All-Ivy League selections, three Major League Soccer SuperDraft picks, four professional players, two CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, one NSCAA All-American, and the first Senior Class Award winner in school history (2012).

In addition to his coaching responsibilities with the Bears, Biggs was responsible for scouting, served as the program's recruiting coordinator and assisted with team compliance, community service and alumni relations.

"I'm honored to be the Bryant women's soccer coach, and I would like to thank the entire search committee for the opportunity to lead the program into the future," said Biggs. "I am extremely excited to meet the players and begin working with them as we get set for the 2015 season."

Prior to his time at Brown, Biggs spent four seasons as the head coach of the University of New England men's soccer program (2006-10), leading the Nor'Easters to their first 10-win season in 11 years in 2009.

Additionally, Biggs served as a Senior Staff Coach for the East Region (Region 1) of the Girls' Olympic Development Program (ODP) from 2000-06, where he coached dozens of players who went on to represent the United States on National Teams at various levels, including current US Senior National Team members Tobin Heath, Meghan Klingenberg, Allie Long, Alyssa Naeher and Heather O'Reilly.

Biggs has also served as the Director of Coaching and Player Development for the Maine Youth Soccer Association (1998-2009) and the Technical Director for Odyssey Sport Premier Soccer Club (1997-2010). A US Soccer 'A' Licensed coach, Biggs has also served as a US Soccer National Staff Instructor, instructing and evaluating candidates as part of the A, B and C national level coaching program.

"We are excited to welcome Andy into the Bulldog family," said Smith. "His vast array of experience on both the men's and women's side of the game will benefit our program tremendously. His background as both a player and coach aligns well with our goals of developing true student-athletes who compete just as successfully in the classroom as they do on the field. We are eager to see Coach Biggs lead our women's soccer program next fall and into the future."

After beginning his collegiate playing career at the University of Pennsylvania, Biggs went on to become a New England Intercollegiate Soccer League All-Star at Middlebury College, where he earned his degree in history. Biggs went on to play professionally for Western Suburbs AFC of the CPL in Wellington, New Zealand and for the Arizona Cotton of the USISL in Phoenix.

Biggs currently resides in Seekonk, Mass., with his wife, Becky, and three children, Lucy, Owen and Chloe.