Brad Ruzzo

Biography

A 26-year coaching veteran, including stops at three collegiate institutions, Brad Ruzzo was named as the head coach of the Mercer men’s soccer program on June 24, 2008. The winningest coach in program history with over 150 victories as the skipper in Macon, Ruzzo has led the Bears to seven conference championships and five NCAA Tournament berths in 17 seasons at the helm. MU has made nine appearances in conference tournament championship games under his leadership as well, while the program has also raked in 67 all-conference awards, including 34 first-team nods. A three-time conference coach of the year honoree, including twice (2014, 2018) since the Orange & Black transitioned to the Southern Conference prior to the 2014 campaign, Ruzzo has compiled 111 victories and a .563 winning percentage over the last 12 years, including eight winning campaigns across that span. MU tallied a program-best 14 victories during the 2014 season – its first as a member of the SoCon – and matched that superlative again in 2019 on the way to a league title and another NCAA Tournament berth. The Bears have been just as impressive in the classroom under Ruzzo’s leadership. Mercer has corralled the United Soccer Coaches prestigious Team Academic Award every year since the enthusiastic mentor took the reigns of the program, while two student-athletes – Will Betts (2012) and Ashani Samuels (2014) – have been crowned Academic All-Americans. The list of academic accolades also includes five recipien

Career Path