JERSEY CITY, N.J. — A changing of the guard has taken place within the New Jersey City University men's soccer program and today, Tuesday, May 23, NJCU's Interim Director of Athletics, Robert Cole has officially announced that New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) veteran Brendan Guzman will assume the role of Head Coach, the 15th in the program's history. Guzman returns to the Gothic Knights sidelines after having served as NJCU's top assistant for five seasons from 2016-21.

"We are incredibly excited to welcome back Brendan as the head coach of the men's soccer team," said Cole. "Brendan's outlook on the Division III student-athlete experience aligns perfectly with the profile of a NJCU student-athlete. Brendan's experience as a NJAC player, NJAC assistant coach and a collegiate head coach makes him the right person to continue the upward trajectory of our program. His passion for student-athlete development and love of sport is unparalleled. We are optimistic about the short and long term outlook of the program with Coach Guzman at the helm."

Guzman returns to Jersey City after spending two seasons as the Head Women's Soccer Coach at Division II College of Staten Island. The Dolphins competed at the Division III level through the 2019 season, canceled their 2020 campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed play as a Division II program with Guzman at the helm in 2021 and 2022. He guided the program to immediate success within the East Coast Conference (ECC), collecting 14 points in ECC play over his two seasons. Guzman also produced three ECC Honor Roll Players of the Week and one All-ECC selection.

"It is with deep honor and uncontainable excitement that I accept the opportunity to lead as the head coach of New Jersey City University men's soccer," said Guzman. "This opportunity feels like a homecoming of sorts, a culmination of over a decade of experiences in playing, coaching and analyzing this beautiful game. I am immensely grateful to New Jersey City University for bestowing this privilege upon me. I also extend my appreciation to Interim Director of Athletics, Robert Cole and my predecessor, Joseph Cullen. As I pursued my own coaching ventures, they were tirelessly building an exceptional athletic department and an outstanding program. When Coach Cullen and I joined forces in 2016, we embarked on the challenge of rebuilding a program, guided by an unwavering optimism for its future. Today, I am humbled and privileged to be entrusted with the task of building upon Coach Cullen's remarkable work."
 
During his previous five seasons on the sidelines with NJCU from the Fall 2016 season through the Spring 2021 campaign, Guzman served as head of recruiting for the Gothic Knights and was responsible for practice design. He also served as the program's liaison between the student-athletes and the academic advisors, ensuring academic eligibility for his players with the NJAC. Additionally, Guzman helped guide the seasons of four All-NJAC selections, three of which were backs.

"With immense pride, I can say that there is no better place to be than NJCU," continued Guzman. "Situated in a vibrant area, competing in a prestigious conference and coaching Division III sports at this University provides me with the opportunity to share the gifts I have received throughout my soccer journey. I am eager to harness the incredible foundation that is New Jersey City University Men's Soccer, and together with these amazing student athletes, we will create an even more remarkable next chapter."

Guzman also sports additional coaching experience with Asphalt Green Soccer Club and New York Athletic Club. He had served as Technical Director with AGSC since March of 2017, where he managed all 15 coaches and the selections of 160-plus players for the organization's various teams, ages 6 to 18 years old. He specifically managed B2008 and B2011 to high levels of competition, while also curating training and tactical plans. As the top assistant coach with NYAC's Women's Professional Soccer League, Guzman is in charge of scouting, goalkeeping and recruiting. A summer league, he assists high-level Division I players prepare for their upcoming collegiate seasons. Guzman also oversaw two players that went on to sign professional contracts in Portugal and Italy.

A 2016 graduate of Montclair State University, Guzman is no stranger to the NJAC as a player, as well. He was a member of the Red Hawks' men's soccer program from 2012-15, making 85 appearances as a back, including 31 starts. He amassed 14 points, including four goals, and played nearly 3,900 minutes on the pitch over his four seasons. Guzman was part of four NCAA Tournament teams, including two Elite 8 finishes and one NJAC Championship.

Guzman, a native of Clifton, N.J., is a 2012 graduate of Clifton High School and currently resides in Jersey City.