Greenville, S.C. – 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.
 
Tucker, a native of Englewood, Colo., replaces Doug Allison, who retired following his 31^st 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.
 
"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."
 
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 16^th 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.
 
"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."
 
"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."
 
"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!"
 
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.
 
Tucker played his college soccer for Paladin associate head coach Bret Boulware at Presbyterian College prior to embarking on a professional career. He played for MLS' Colorado Rapids in 2008 and 2009 before concluding his playing career with the Denver Dragons of the Premier Arena Soccer League. Tucker joined Boulware's staff at Presbyterian as an assistant coach from 2009-11 and as associate head coach for the Blue Hose from 2012-13. A three-time All-South Atlantic Conference and United Soccer Coaches All-Region selection while at PC, he helped the Blue Hose transition into NCAA Division I soccer as an assistant coach.
 
"I am so happy that Coach Brandon Tucker is taking over the Furman men's soccer program," said Allison. "This is his time to shine. He is a terrific young coach, a fantastic recruiter, and someone who genuinely cares about the student athletes and alumni that make up this amazing program. Along with Coach Boulware and Coach Arndt, Tuck has been instrumental in helping create a wonderful culture that has truly blossomed over the last 10 years while he has served as an assistant coach." 
 
"Many thanks to Jason Donnelly, Nate Burton and Elizabeth Davis for supporting me and the alumni with our complete endorsement of Coach Tucker and trusting him with the leadership and future development of our badge," added Allison. "We love Brandon and all wish him the best in his career as the next head coach of Furman men's soccer."

In 2024, Tucker helped Furman post a 9-4-6 record, capture the SoCon Tournament title, and reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament by advancing past nationally-ranked North Carolina on penalty kicks. Additionally, the Furman staff was named United Soccer Coaches South Region Staff of the Year. Seven Paladins earned All-SoCon honors, including Aaron Salinas who was named SoCon Goalkeeper of the Year and United Soccer Coaches All-South Region.

During the 2020-21 season Tucker helped Furman claim the SoCon regular season championship after going 7-2-1 and posting a 5-0-1 mark in conference play. The Paladins swept the postseason awards as Ben Hale was named the SoCon Player of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year, and Jake Raine the Co-Freshman of the Year. Furman had nine players recognized on All-SoCon teams or the league's all-freshman squad, highlighted by six on the first team.

In 2019, Tucker helped lead the Paladins to an 11-7-1 overall record and a Southern Conference regular season title with a 5-1-0 mark. Furman placed seven players on All-SoCon teams, including the inclusion of Rocky Guerra, Cole McLagan and Jack Shiels on the first team.

The 2018 season saw Furman post a 13-7-2 record, claim its 14^th 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
            
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