Rowland Promoted to Associate Head Coach
5/8/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Maryland men's soccer head coach Sasho Cirovski has announced Brian Rowland has been promoted to associate head coach, announced Friday.
Rowland served as an assistant coach with the Terps for four seasons prior to being elevated to Cirovski's first assistant/recruiting coordinator on May 27, 2014. Recently, Maryland's 2015 recruiting class was named the best in the nation by College Soccer News.
Rowland has helped guide the Terps to three consecutive regular season and tournament conference championships in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Maryland advanced to the College Cup in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 2004 and 2005 seasons in 2012 and 2013. The Terps are a staggering 83-18-15 since Rowland's arrival in 2010.
“I am tremendously honored and privileged to be named associate head coach at Maryland,” Rowland said. “The program that Coach Cirovski has built here at Maryland over the years is truly incredible and sets the standard for all of college soccer. I would like to thank Coach Cirovski for this opportunity and his mentorship which continually challenges me to grow as a coach. I am inspired by the commitment of our outstanding student-athletes, coaches, and staff. The history and accomplishments here at Maryland have given me great pride in what we do. I am confident and excited about the future of Maryland Soccer.”
Rowland has played a pivotal role mentoring some of the nation's top goalkeeping talent, including U-20 MNT goalkeeper Zack Steffen, who was tabbed to the ACC All-Freshman Team in 2013 under Rowland's tutelage. Steffen signed professionally to play with SC Freiburg in Germany following his two-year stint in College Park.
“I am extremely pleased to promote Brian to associate head coach,” Cirovski said. “He has demonstrated great ability and loyalty to our program and has earned the right to be recognized. It has been rewarding to witness his development as a coach and leader. Our program has benefited tremendously from his contributions both on and off the field."
During his first season in College Park, Rowland coached All-America selection Zac MacMath, who led the nation with a 0.64 goals against average. MacMath was later selected by the Philadelphia Union with the fifth pick overall in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. In total, Rowland has helped mentor 14 professional players including Major League Soccer standouts John Stertzer, Taylor Kemp, London Woodberry, Schillo Tshuma, Ethan White, Patrick Mullins, Casey Townsend and the aforementioned MacMath.
Rowland was a four-year starter for nationally-ranked UMBC and was a two-time captain for the Retrievers. He was tabbed UMBC Male Athlete of the Year, earned All-America honors in 2002, and garnered all-conference accolades twice in his illustrious career. Rowland left UMBC as the career and single-season record-holder in shutouts.
Following Rowland's successful collegiate tenure, he continued his playing career with the Toronto Lynx of the USL (2003-04), the Baltimore Blast and Milwaukee Wave of the MISL (2003-07) and finally with Crystal Palace USA of the USL from 2007 to 2009. He was tabbed to MISL's Team of the Week three times and the USL Team of the Week five times. He also spent the last four years as the goalkeeper coach for Crystal Palace, working with academy goalkeepers in a year-round training program.
Prior to landing at UMBC, Rowland competed on the Canadian Youth National U-20 team and trialed at Manchester United and Fulham.
Rowland is a native of Toronto, Ontario Canada and earned his bachelor's degree in economics from UMBC in 2003. Rowland holds a USSF A License (2012) and is involved with US Soccer as a scout for their Youth National Teams.
