University of Pennsylvania hires Casey Brown as women’s soccer head coach

PHILADELPHIA – Casey Brown, the 2019 Patriot League Coach of the Year who led Holy Cross to new heights, has been named the Douglas N. Brush Head Coach of Women’s Soccer at the University of Pennsylvania, the T. Gibbs Kane, Jr. W’69 Director of Athletics Dr. M. Grace Calhoun announced today.

“I am thrilled to welcome Casey to Penn to continue the upward trajectory of our women’s soccer program,” Calhoun said. “She has had incredible success as a student-athlete, assistant coach and head coach at prestigious academic institutions and I am confident that her success will carry over to Penn. Casey is a strong believer in the academic and athletic balance which is critical to our mission in the Ivy League, and has demonstrated the ability to build a positive team culture and connect with her student-athletes. I look forward to the future success of our women’s soccer program under Casey’s leadership.”

Brown led Holy Cross to its best season in nearly two decades in 2019 as the Crusaders reached their first Patriot League Tournament since 2000. Holy Cross earned 14 points last fall, which was the most in program history, and its second-place regular season finish tied the highest in program history. Holy Cross posted its best Patriot League record (3-1-5) since 2000 and just the third overall winning record since 1999 (5-4-8).  The four total losses tied for the least in the program’s 37-year history and the 16 goals allowed were the least conceded by any Holy Cross women’s soccer team.

“I could not be more excited to be a part of such a prestigious institution as the University of Pennsylvania as the leader of the women’s soccer program,” Brown said. “I feel so aligned with the values of the department and I especially want to thank Dr. Calhoun, Scott Ward, Rudy Fuller, Keith Maurer and the rest of the search committee for the opportunity to join this fantastic community of top professionals. I look forward to continuing the upward trajectory of this program as we look to reach new heights and provide an unbelievable experience for our current and future student-athletes. I feel a great sense of pride to lead Penn women’s soccer and I cannot wait to get to work.”

Brown arrived at Holy Cross in 2016 and began changing the trajectory of a program which hadn’t finished better than seventh place in the Patriot League since 2008. In just four years, Brown leaves the program with the second most Patriot League victories in Holy Cross history, and the highest Patriot League winning percentage. Five Crusaders were named All-Patriot League in 2019, the most since 2000.

The Natick, Massachusetts native is also invested in the holistic development of her student-athletes. Holy Cross posted the highest team grade point average (3.61) in program history, which was the best among the department’s 27 teams. Brown also instituted a new community service program, which contributed to the most service hours of all Division I women’s soccer programs.

Prior to arriving at Holy Cross, Brown served as the associate head coach at her alma mater, Boston University, from 2013-16. The Mid-Atlantic Assistant Coach of the Year in 2015, Brown helped BU to three Patriot League championships and NCAA Tournament appearances (2013-15). Twice, the Terriers advanced to the NCAA Second Round and earned national rankings.

She began her career as a graduate assistant coach at LIU Brooklyn from 2010-12. The Blackbirds won the Northeast Conference regular season championship in 2010, and won the NEC Tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2011.

Brown was an All-American and three-time America East Defensive Player of the Year at Boston University, helping the Terriers to four NCAA Tournaments and three conference titles. A four-time all-conference selection and three-time all-region pick, Brown was the America East Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 2007. She was drafted by the Boston Breakers of the National Women’s Soccer League in 2010.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in communication from Boston University in 2010 and a master’s in exercise physiology and sports nutrition from LIU Brooklyn in 2012.

What They Are Saying About Casey Brown
“Casey Brown is one of the best young coaches in the country and Penn is fortunate that she will be taking the helm of the women’s soccer program. She is a tremendous leader and teacher of the game, and Casey does a tremendous job of motivating and inspiring student-athletes to maximize individual and team performance. She is also a tremendous role model and has always valued the opportunity as a coach to teach life lessons and support the rigorous academic experience of her students.” – Nancy Feldman, Head Women’s Soccer Coach, Boston University, 11-time conference coach of the year

“The impact Casey has had on the players and the program at the College of Holy Cross is evident in the team’s success and development. Casey excels at the technical and tactical aspects of the game, but also cares deeply about the players personal development and team growth. She is always energetic, positive, and her passion for the game of soccer can be seen every time she steps on the field. She will be an enormous asset to Penn women’s soccer, and her ambition, reliability, and leadership will provide an exceptional academic and athletic experience for the players and team.” – Carin Gabarra, Head Women’s Soccer Coach, United States Naval Academy, 1991 Women’s World Cup Winner and Golden Ball recipient and 1996 Olympic Gold medalist

“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Casey since her freshmen year at Boston University. She was a stalwart – a hardworking, tough, caring, team-oriented player who was one of those individuals who just made you smile when you were around her. She’s exactly the same as a coach. We’ve been really proud to watch her ascension in the coaching ranks and I know she’ll do great things at Penn, as she clearly knows how to build meaningful relationships and steer a program to success.” – Drew Marrochello, Director of Athletics, Boston University 

“Coach Brown is an outstanding leader, mentor and coach. I’m thrilled for her and for the University of Pennsylvania, as she will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the athletic department and the women competing in the soccer program. I will continue to follow Coach Brown’s career with great enthusiasm and Penn Women’s Soccer has certainly gained a new fan in Colorado Springs.” – Nathan Pine, Director of Athletics, Air Force Academy. Director of Athletics, Holy Cross from 2013-18