BATON ROUGE – After helping to transform the LSU soccer team into a perennial SEC championship contender as one of the premier programs in the country in five seasons as a member of Brian Lee‘s staff, assistant coach Daniel Brizard will now begin a new chapter in his coaching career as he has accepted the head coaching position at Tennessee Tech University.
In five seasons in Baton Rouge, Brizard helped guide the Tigers to unprecedented heights as the team has posted a 58-31-19 overall record and a 27-18-10 mark in Southeastern Conference play since 2005.
That includes winning three-straight SEC Western Division titles and earning an at-large selection for the NCAA Tournament in each of the last three seasons from 2007-09.
The Tigers took their performance to another level in 2009 after matching the school record for wins with a 15-4-5 overall record and setting a new school record with an 8-2-1 mark and 25 points in SEC play. The team finished just one point behind Florida for the overall SEC championship and earned a berth into the SEC Tournament final for the first time in program history. In addition, the Tigers served as a host for the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament as a No. 4 national seed.
Brizard has helped lead a dramatic ascent to the top of the SEC in his five seasons at LSU. After finishing in 12th place in each of the two seasons prior to joining the staff, the Tigers finished eighth in 2005, eighth in 2006, fourth in 2007 and in second place overall in 2008 and 2009.
“My family and I are excited about the opportunity we’ve been given to lead a program with the potential that exists at Tennessee Tech,” Brizard said. “I’ve learned so much in the time I’ve been at LSU, and I am ready and prepared for the challenge that lies ahead. I’m very proud of what we were able to build at LSU these last five years, and I know this program will only continue to flourish in the future.
“I want to thank Brian Lee and Debbie Hensley for helping me prepare for this opportunity. I wouldn’t be in this position today without them and the opportunity I had to come to LSU.”
LSU head coach Brian Lee said he believes Brizard is a perfect fit to lead the program at Tennessee Tech, and that he has what it takes to guide the Golden Eagles to the top of the Ohio Valley Conference. Brizard will officially begin his new position effective July 1.
“Daniel has been instrumental in helping us build one of the elite soccer programs in the country since we arrived here as a staff five years ago. We will conduct a national search for his replacement,” Lee said. “I know he will bring that same vision with him to Tennessee Tech as he leads their program to new heights. We appreciate everything he has done for us here at LSU.
“We are sad to see Daniel go after five tremendous seasons, but this is a great opportunity for him and his family. We wish them all the best as they start a new chapter of their lives.”