SWU announces Bireline as new head men's soccer coach
Bireline comes to Southern Wesleyan from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis where he served as an assistant coach for the past two seasons. He helped develop five All-Summit league performers, three Summit League All-Newcomer nominees, one 2014 Academic All-Summit League recipient, and helped to develop a player that now plays professionally for the St. Louis FC.
Prior to coaching at IUPUI, Bireline was an assistant coach at Wheaton College in Illinois for two seasons. He helped the Thunder to back-to-back CCIW conference crowns and consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. In just two seasons, he coached two All-Americans, nine All-Region and 13 All-Conference performers, while compiling a 35-8-5 record. He was involved in all facets of coaching including recruiting, training, game day preparation, travel management and academic oversight.
“I am excited to have Coach Bireline as our next head men’s soccer coach,” said Warriors Director of Athletics Chris Williams. “He has proven himself on the field as a player and has developed his coaching craft with multiple programs. It will be exciting to watch Coach Bireline develop young men spiritually, academically, and athletically here at Southern Wesleyan.”
Bireline also has previous experience with the Strikers Fox Valley Soccer Club of St. Charles, Ill., and domestic and international experience with the Chicago Eagles, a division of Missionary Athletes International (MAI).
Bireline earned his B.S. in Exercise Science in 2011 from Bowling Green State University where played all four seasons. He helped the Falcons to a third-place finish in the Mid-American Conference as a senior and was also awarded the MAC Presidential Award in 2011. He received the Falcon Junior Athlete of the Year award in 2010. He also received his M.S. in Sports Management from Liberty University in 2014.
“I am thankful and humbled to be given the opportunity to be a part of the tremendous history of men's soccer at Southern Wesleyan University,” said Bireline. “In particular, I want to thank Mr. Williams, Dr. Brockington, Dr. Voss, and the rest of the SWU administration for the privilege of leading men's soccer into the Division II era. I have had the distinct honor to work for and with many tremendous coaches in the past. I am excited to use those experiences to build on the legacy that Coach Rodriguez has left and help Southern Wesleyan men's soccer to an elite level nationally. It is of utmost importance that the men's soccer program reflects the ethos and mission of Southern Wesleyan University while creating an environment in which young men can become what God has created them to be and impact the world for Christ, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor. I am looking forward to building relationships with the current players and being a part of the Southern Wesleyan family.”