Eric Mild Takes Over Pacific University Men's Soccer Program
Eric Mild, a 17-year coaching veteran with a record of success at the NCAA Division I and Division II levels, has been selected as the eighth head coach of the Pacific University men's soccer program.
Mild was selected from a national search that drew over 70 applicants from all levels of the game. Mild succeeds Jim Brazeau, who resigned in November to focus on his duties as director of coaching for the Willamette United Soccer Club.
"I am thrilled that Eric will joining us and I believe he will be an outstanding addition to our coaching staff," said Director of Athletics Ken Schumann. "Eric's valuable coaching experience at both Division I and Division II provides the right person to continue the growth of the program where Jim left off. I am excited for the future of Pacific men's soccer."
"I am really excited to become part of the athletic department at Pacific," Mild said. "The tradition and reputation of the university, the location and the winning tradition of the men's soccer program make this a perfect for me and my family. I feel like it's a good fit and that I will integrate and be part of something special here."
Mild comes to Pacific after five years as the top assistant coach at UC Davis, where he helped lead the Aggies in their successful transition to Division I play in his second stint with the program. During his tenure, UC Davis qualified four times for the Big West Tournament and won the conference's north division in 2012. The Aggies' 2008 squad qualified for the NCAA Division I College Cup and achieved a top-25 ranking after finishing with a 13-5-4 record.
Mild sees the potential to continue Pacific long tradition of men's soccer success and return the Boxers to the upper half of the Northwest Conference standings in short time.
"I want to emphasize and develop a 'team first' mentality within the program," Mild said. "My hope is that we can incorporate that and enhance with the current student-athletes. I want to make sure we are all buying into that 'team first' mentality. The recruits we bring in will enhance that even further."
Prior to returning to UC Davis, Mild spent seven seasons at Division II Can State Stanislaus, developing the team into a competitive program in the California Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAA). Mild's efforts culminated in 2006 with an appearance in the CCAA Championship tournament. That year's team finished with a 10-9-2 overall record, its best mark since 1991. Overall, Mild coached 11 all-conference selections and boasted the program's first-ever all-region honorees.
Mild previously served as the top assistant coach at UC Davis from 1997 to 2001. That period was highlighted by a 1999 squad that won a school-record 16 matches and qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time in 23 years. That team won the west region championship and set a school mark with 13 consecutive victories.
Mild began his collegiate playing career at Santa Rosa (Calif.) Junior College where he earned all-conference honors. He finished his career at Division II Humboldt State, earning all-conference and all-region honors while helping lead the Lumberjacks to a Northern California Athletic Conference title.
Mild hiring continues a trend of UC Davis coaches coming north to Pacific. Other UC Davis coaching alumni on the Boxers' staff include head football coach Keith Buckley and football co-offensive coordinator Matt Wade.
Mild graduated from Humboldt State in 1996 with a degree in kinesiology. He earned his master's degree in kinesiology from Sacramento State in 2002. He currently holds a United States Soccer Federation "A" license.
Mild and his wife, Amy (a former UC Davis soccer player), are proud parents of two children, Tessa and Grayson.
