Athletics
Athletics
Raynor Returns as King's Head Men's Soccer Coach
A familiar face returns to the King's College men's soccer program ahead of the 2024 season as Associate Vice President and Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation Cheryl Ish announced that Brandon Raynor will take over the reigns as the fourth full-time head coach in program history.
"I am excited, grateful and honored to take over as the next King's College Head Men's Soccer Coach," said Raynor. "A huge thank you to Cheryl Ish and the entire committee for trusting me to lead this program to future successes. Having the opportunity to come back to a place that I called home for eight years is amazing, and I am looking forward to continuing to build and shape the program in a way that our student-athletes can experience successes on the field, in the classroom, and in the community."
Raynor returns for his first full-time stint in Wilkes-Barre after spending the last six years at Hartwick College. He served as an assistant coach with a focus on the goalkeepers from the 2018 through the 2022 campaigns before being promoted to Associate Head Coach and Goalkeeping Coach for the last year.
In his time with the Hawks, Raynor was involved in all facets of the men's soccer program, including planning and preparing for practices with a special focus on goalkeeper training sessions, academic monitoring, recruiting at events and on-campus visits, and travel itineraries. He also assisted the athletic department as a game manager for men's and women's basketball and men's lacrosse home contests as well as supervising intramural programming and aiding in various search committees.
Prior to Hartwick, Raynor spent the previous eight years in Wilkes-Barre as the assistant coach for the Monarchs under long-time head coach Mark Bassett. As an assistant, he was responsible for goalkeeper training and had a big role in alumni relations for the program. During the stretch, Raynor helped guide the Monarchs to the 2014 MAC Freedom title with an appearance in the NCAA Division III National Tournament, as well as a runner-up finish in 2015.
"We are extremely excited to have Brandon Raynor return to Wilkes-Barre to guide the men's soccer program," stated Ish. "He is an extremely dedicated alumnus who understands the values of both the College and the men's soccer program, and he played a large part in the program's success in his time as both a student-athlete and as an assistant coach. His passion for sport and King's men's soccer shined through in the interview process, and he will be a great asset to the program in every facet."
Additionally, Raynor has held roles as an Assistant Coach and Goalkeeping Coach for the Albany Rush USL 2 team in 2023, where he aided in training sessions to help prepare current players for their season as well as upcoming collegiate seasons, and as a Soccer Camp Coaching Lead for EXACT Sports Camp since December 2021, leading day clinics in the Northeast and serving as a member of the EXACT 11 Staff.
Raynor earned his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from King's in 2014 before continuing his education to collect a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction in 2017. He was a four-year member of the men's soccer program, first as a goalie for three seasons with a 0.719 goals against average and 79 saves before transitioning to the midfield unit where he helped the Monarchs to the 2013 MAC Freedom title and the first National Tournament berth in program history.
He will begin his duties immediately as the men's soccer team prepares for the 2024 season. Be on the lookout for their schedule release in the coming days, and follow along with the Monarchs all season at kingscollegeathletics.com.
"I am excited, grateful and honored to take over as the next King's College Head Men's Soccer Coach," said Raynor. "A huge thank you to Cheryl Ish and the entire committee for trusting me to lead this program to future successes. Having the opportunity to come back to a place that I called home for eight years is amazing, and I am looking forward to continuing to build and shape the program in a way that our student-athletes can experience successes on the field, in the classroom, and in the community."
Raynor returns for his first full-time stint in Wilkes-Barre after spending the last six years at Hartwick College. He served as an assistant coach with a focus on the goalkeepers from the 2018 through the 2022 campaigns before being promoted to Associate Head Coach and Goalkeeping Coach for the last year.
In his time with the Hawks, Raynor was involved in all facets of the men's soccer program, including planning and preparing for practices with a special focus on goalkeeper training sessions, academic monitoring, recruiting at events and on-campus visits, and travel itineraries. He also assisted the athletic department as a game manager for men's and women's basketball and men's lacrosse home contests as well as supervising intramural programming and aiding in various search committees.
Prior to Hartwick, Raynor spent the previous eight years in Wilkes-Barre as the assistant coach for the Monarchs under long-time head coach Mark Bassett. As an assistant, he was responsible for goalkeeper training and had a big role in alumni relations for the program. During the stretch, Raynor helped guide the Monarchs to the 2014 MAC Freedom title with an appearance in the NCAA Division III National Tournament, as well as a runner-up finish in 2015.
"We are extremely excited to have Brandon Raynor return to Wilkes-Barre to guide the men's soccer program," stated Ish. "He is an extremely dedicated alumnus who understands the values of both the College and the men's soccer program, and he played a large part in the program's success in his time as both a student-athlete and as an assistant coach. His passion for sport and King's men's soccer shined through in the interview process, and he will be a great asset to the program in every facet."
Additionally, Raynor has held roles as an Assistant Coach and Goalkeeping Coach for the Albany Rush USL 2 team in 2023, where he aided in training sessions to help prepare current players for their season as well as upcoming collegiate seasons, and as a Soccer Camp Coaching Lead for EXACT Sports Camp since December 2021, leading day clinics in the Northeast and serving as a member of the EXACT 11 Staff.
Raynor earned his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from King's in 2014 before continuing his education to collect a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction in 2017. He was a four-year member of the men's soccer program, first as a goalie for three seasons with a 0.719 goals against average and 79 saves before transitioning to the midfield unit where he helped the Monarchs to the 2013 MAC Freedom title and the first National Tournament berth in program history.
He will begin his duties immediately as the men's soccer team prepares for the 2024 season. Be on the lookout for their schedule release in the coming days, and follow along with the Monarchs all season at kingscollegeathletics.com.
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