Chad Wiseman leaving Olivet College men’s soccer program

OLIVET, Mich. -- After serving as the Olivet College head men's soccer coach for the last four years, Chad Wiseman is leaving Olivet to take the head men's soccer coaching position at Western Michigan University (WMU).

"I want to thank former Olivet President Don Tuski and Athletic Director Dominic Livedoti for giving me the opportunity to be a college head coach almost four years ago," said Wiseman. "I also want to thank the current administration, President Steven Corey and Athletic Director Heather Bateman, as well as the great staff and faculty at Olivet. I have enjoyed my time, and it has been great working with all of them.

Wiseman departs Olivet as the winningest men's soccer coach in school history, compiling a 53-25-6 record. Under his leadership, the Comets have become one of the elite programs in the Michigan Intercollegiate Association (MIAA). In his first season in 2009, Olivet won 11 games, which was one shy of the single-season school record. In 2010, the Comets equaled the 1997 team's win total of 12. During the 2011 season, Olivet broke the record with 14 wins, including a school-record nine victories in MIAA play. This past season, the Comets exceeded both those totals with a 16-5-1 overall record, including a 10-4 mark against MIAA opponents.

In addition to the win total this year, Olivet advanced to the MIAA Tournament championship game for a second straight season. For three weeks during the season, the Comets were the No. 1 ranked team in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Central Region poll and climbed as high as No. 6 in the NSCAA national Top 25 poll. Olivet was also included in NCAA Central Region rankings for three weeks.

"The soccer program is in a much better place now than when I took over four years ago and the biggest reason is the young men in the program," said Wiseman. "I can not thank them enough for what they have done for me, the soccer program, college and community. They are an extraordinary group of young men, which I am honored to have had the privilege to coach. I am proud of what they have achieved, but am even more proud of the men they have become.

"I am forever grateful Olivet College had the faith in me to be the leader of its men's soccer program. "Olivet will always hold a special place in my heart. I will continue to support and cheer for the success of the players, athletic department and institution."

Overall in his time at Olivet, Wiseman coached 12 All-MIAA players, who earned 17 total all-conference awards, including nine first-team selections. Five of those players became the first ones in school history to earn All-Region honors from the NSCAA.

"I want to thank Chad for his service," said Bateman. "His performance as our head coach was outstanding. We are sad to see him leave Olivet, but we wish him the best of luck at Western Michigan."

A WMU graduate, Wiseman returns to sidelines for the Broncos after spending seven years as an assistant men's soccer coach before joining Olivet's staff in February 2009.