STEUBENVILLE, Ohio – Former Ohio Northern Head Coach Brent Ridenour has been named Franciscan University Men's Soccer Head Coach. He is set to become the Barons' fifth head coach since the program's inception in 2008.

"We are thrilled to bring on Brent as our next men's soccer head coach," said Franciscan Director of Athletics Scott Greve. "He brings with him a wealth of experience and success at the highest levels of Division III Soccer. Brent will be a great mentor and example for our young men moving forward. It is an exciting time for Franciscan Soccer!"

Coach Ridenour takes the reigns after leading Ohio Northern University for 21 seasons from 1998-2018. During his time at ONU, Ridenour racked up seven OAC conference championships. In 2012, after going 25-3 in the regular season and winning the conference title, Ridenour led the Polar Bears through the NCAA Tournament all the way to the NCAA Division III National Championship Game. During his coaching tenure, Ridenour tallied 308 wins and when the men's soccer team takes the field on September 1^st against Penn State Altoona, he will have the 16^th most wins of all active Division III coaches.

"It is an exciting time for the athletic programs with the upgrades to Memorial Field and the move to the Presidents' Athletic Conference and that is one reason I was drawn to this position," said Ridenour. "I would like to thank Scott Greve, Alexis Basil, and the search committee for giving me the opportunity to lead the Franciscan University of Steubenville men's soccer program into the future. Coach Bobak has the team ready to win now and I am looking forward to getting started and taking over where he left off."
 
Long-time Assistant Coach Zeph Swope will remain on staff and has been promoted to Associate Head Coach. Swope has had a long history with the program as both a player and a coach and will be essential to its success moving forward.

Ridenour graduated from ONU in 1995 after being a standout soccer and baseball player. He is still second in program history in career goals scored, tallying 56 during his career. Ridenour earned a master's degree from Bowling Green State University in 1999.

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