Brad Cole

Brad Cole joined the Portland Men’s Soccer program in June of 2022. He serves as the recruiting coordinator and assists will all aspects of the program.

In his first season with the Pilots, Cole helped lead the program to a 15-3-3 record, their best record since the 1995 season. Along with that, the team made the NCAA Tournament and advanced all the way to the quarterfinals for the first time in 27 years. Cole also helped put together a stellar recruiting class that ranked fourth in the nation according to TopDrawerSoccer.

Cole comes from Cornell University where he was an Assistant Coach from 2020-2022. Cole assisted Cornell in the recruitment of the #22 ranked 2021 recruiting class, as ranked by TopDrawerSoccer. Fall of 2021 was Cole’s first competitive season with the Big Red due to the Covid cancellation of 2020. Cornell finished with a record of 11-3-2, their most successful season since 2012. The Big Red spent four weeks in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll with their highest ranking coming in at 19th in the nation on October 12th.

Cornell’s 2021 squad had one of the best offenses in the nation, finishing top 10 in sixstatistical categories. The Big Red’s attack led the nation in shots on goal per game (8.75) and came 3rd in shot accuracy. Seven corner kicks per game placed Cornell fifth nationally while the team’s shots per game (16.44) and goals per game (2.5) were enough to garner sixth. Cornell's 7.19 points per game placed Cornell seventh in Division I.

Cole’s responsibilities included attacking and defending set pieces. The Big Red scored 11 set piece goals with an additional five penalties while only conceding five set piece goals.

In addition to team success, Tyler Bagley won the NCAA Division I scoring title, leading the nation in points per game (2.19). He also finished tied for fourth in total points (35) and goals per game (0.88), and sixth in goals (14). Following the season, he was chosen in the MLS SuperDraft as the 54th pick overall by Inter Miami FC. At the conclusion of the season, Bagley earned first team All-Northeast Region honors and junior forward Emeka Eneli earned second team All-Northeast Region honors.

The team earned five All-Ivy League honors for the 2021 season. Bagley was one of two unanimous first team honorees. Bagley was joined on the first team by freshman defender Wilson Eisner and Eneli. Eisner is the first Cornell freshman to earn All-Ivy League first team honors since 1997. Senior midfielder Jonah Kagen and fifth-year midfielder Harry Fuller were named to the second team.

Before Cornell, Cole spent three years on staff at UVM, his alma mater, fulfilling two years as director of operations and one year as an assistant coach. During his time with the Catamounts they won two regular season titles and one America East Conference Tournament Championship. Cole coached two players who were chosen in the MLS Superdraft, Brian Wright (New England Revolution) and Geo Alves (DC United). Multiple players received conference awards during his time with Vermont, including Brian Wright (Striker of the Year), Geo Alves (Striker of the Year), Aron Runarrson (Goalkeeper of the Year), and Rasmus Tobinski (Rookie of the Year).

Cole played in the Welsh 2nd Division for Buckley Town FC in 2016. He played center back and right wingback for Buckley Town, scoring three goals and serving as captain during a Welsh Cup match. He also served as a coaching intern at Crewe Alexandra FC, a professional club playing in EFL League 2 in England, working with the U18's and spending time observing the first team best practices.

A player for the University of Vermont Catamounts from 2010-2014, Cole played right back and defensive midfield at Vermont prior to joining the coaching staff as a graduate assistant in 2015. In addition to being named team captain as a senior, Cole was the recipient of the Russell O. Sunderland Memorial Trophy, an award presented to a University of Vermont student-athlete who overcomes obstacles and maintains a high quality of play and academic prowess.

Cole grew up playing for Far Post Soccer Club in Burlington, VT, and began his coaching career there primarily with boys aged 12 to 18 acting as a head coach and director of coaching. He remains involved with the club, serving as a Member at Large on the Board of Directors.