SAN DIEGO – Head coach Ryan Hopkins has announced the hiring of Bryce Cregan as an assistant coach. Cregan comes from the University of Pittsburgh, who is currently No. 1 in the country, where he has been on staff for the past three years.
"We are thrilled to welcome Bryce to the Aztec Family!" coach Hopkins said. "He comes highly-recommended from some of the top minds in college soccer and I look forward to him joining our athletic department."
A standout defender at Akron (2014-15) and Pittsburgh (2016-17), Cregan (CREE-gan) joined the Panther staff after graduating.
"I am excited for the opportunity to work with Coach Hopkins and Aguilar to help develop our student-athletes into winning people and soccer players," Cregan explained. "I am honored to have the opportunity to coach in the Pac-12 and I can't wait to share my experiences as a player and a coach to help the Aztecs become the best versions of themselves."
Pitt went 7-1-0 in the fall portion of the 2020-21 season and currently is 13-2-0 and 9-1-0 in the competitive ACC and holds the No. 1 ranking the country. The Panthers lead the nation in goals scored and are fifth in goal differential.
In 2019, Pitt had one of the best seasons in program history and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, the school's first appearance since 1965. The Panthers advanced to ACC Tournament semifinals and earned a win over No. 1 Virginia in the regular season, both program firsts.
In his first season with Pitt (2018), Cregan helped the Panthers upset No. 7 Virginia in the ACC Tournament, the program's first win in the conference tournament.
A native of Dallastown, Pa., Cregan was a member of the U.S. U-17 National Team and was named a NSCAA All-American. He played his first two seasons at Akron where he started 12 matches as a freshman and helped the Zips record 15 shutouts in his two years, culminating with an appearance in the 2015 NCAA College Cup.
At Pitt, Cregan was named team captain and started 32 matches on the Panther back line, helping Pitt earn their first ACC wins since joining the conference in 2013, including three over ranked opponents.
"Bryce's playing and coaching journey at Pittsburgh mirrors what we are trying to do here at San Diego State," Hopkins explained. "His experiences will be invaluable as we push the program to places it has never been before. As a former U-17 US national team defender himself and final four participant, he understands the rigors of the student-athlete experience and will be a great role model."
Cregan will be on the sidelines for the Aztecs' match against Oregon State this Saturday.
"I want to thank the search committee for their support and giving me this opportunity," Cregan said. "I also want to thank my family and everyone who has shown their support for me throughout my coaching journey including Jay Vidovich, Michael Behonick and Rich Costanzo at the University of Pittsburgh for believing in me as a player and a coach. I wouldn't be where I am today without their guidance."