New Wright State soccer coach has big plans

Former George Washington U. assistant looks to rebuild a once-proud Raiders program.

Bryan Davis, new Wright State University soccer coach

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By Marc Katz, Staff Writer Updated 12:31 AM Saturday, May 2, 2009

FAIRBORN — Growing up in Milwaukee, Bryan Davis often wandered over to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee soccer field and watched “the Panthers get hammered by Wright State and coach Greg Andrulis.”

Davis would like that to continue happening, only with him as head coach of the Raiders, which became official Friday, May 1, when the George Washington University assistant was introduced to the team by telephone.

“Coach Andrulis (now at George Mason, near GW’s Washington, D.C., campus) has been a mentor to me,” Davis said. “He really has glowing things to say about Wright State.”

Andrulis, who coached the Raiders from 1985-96, never had a losing season in 12 years. In the 13 seasons since he has left, WSU has had two winning records (and two at .500) — just one under Mike Tracy, who resigned following last season.

“There’s a great bunch of kids at Wright State now,” said Davis, one of six finalists, who previously met with the team. “I think it can win right now.

“Not to put down GW, but the turf here has run its course, there are no lights and no stands. And we recruited a top-30 team to this (No. 27 by a soccer source in 2008). I feel a lot better about the weapons I have at Wright State.”

Davis first played a year at the University of Cincinnati in 1997, then a year at Wisconsin before injuring his hip and “becoming a coach at a young age.”

He’s only 30 now, but has a resume stuffed with high school, Olympic Development Program teams and three years of work at GW.

“I’m excited about this,” Davis said. “I’m a Midwest guy. I’m not coming to a place to leave.”

Davis plans to arrive on campus Monday. His first official day of work will be Tuesday.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2157 or  mkatz@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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