(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Reds are proud to announce that Barry Morrison has been named the new head coach of the Reds men’s soccer team.
Morrison takes over the team after serving seven years as an assistant coach, and brings a wealth of experience to the position.
“I’m excited,” said Morrison. “Having the opportunity to take over a program with a history of success is something that will be a great challenge for me personally and professionally.”
“We’re pleased to have Barry take on this new role,” said John Richard, UNB’s Director of Athletics. “He has an established relationship with the student-athletes, a proven track record of community engagement, and we believe he’s the right person to set and maintain a new standard of excellence for the Reds, both on and off the field.”
As part of a two-year agreement between the Reds and the Fredericton District Soccer Association, Morrison will add the role of head coach of UNB’s men’s team to his job as the club’s head coach, a job he’s held for more than eight years.
“UNB and the FDSA have had a strong relationship over the last six years, and this will continue to grow that relationship,” said Morrison. “I think it will give me a great chance to connect with the Fredericton community in a different way as I continue to work with great organizations to grow the sport in the region.”
Dennis van den Heuvel, executive director of the FDSA, says Morrison’s new dual role makes sense for the club and UNB.
“We’re happy that Barry will remain a part of the FDSA, but we recognize his desire to positively influence both elite level and grassroots players. This allows him to do that,” said van den Heuvel. “He’s now in a position to create stronger connections in the community that will grow soccer at all levels. There will now be a clearer path for some of our athletes to soccer beyond their time in our organization.”
Morrison began his coaching career in 1999, quickly progressing through the FDSA ranks.
In 2005, and again in 2007, he served as an assistant with UNB’s women’s team.
He took over the FDSA’s head coaching job in March of 2012, and joined the Reds men’s team the following year.
“Barry’s long history in the game and wide range of experience will serve the Reds well,” said Richard. “His positive energy and genuine enthusiasm for the game will help us build on a foundation of success in a way that offers inclusion, opportunity, and a safe environment to every member of the team.”
Morrison takes over a Reds team that has seen considerable success during the last decade, including three Atlantic University Sport championships, and silver and bronze medal performances at U SPORTS championships.
“Obviously, a coaching change always brings some new ideas and ways of doing things, but at this point, we’re going to be building from an already strong base,” said Morrison. “I think we’ll see a lot remain the same. We’ll continue to focus on having success on the field while building great people within our program.”
The working arrangement between UNB and the FDSA is similar to those already in place for the Reds cross country and track & field teams, and the women’s and men’s swimming teams.
These partnerships, with local sport organizations, result in a continuum of athlete development from youth to the high-performance university environment.
“We’re very happy with our partnerships with the Saint John Track Club, Athletics NB, and the Fredericton Aquanauts Swim Club, and see our new partnership with the FDSA achieving the same objectives,” said Richard.
Morrison, who’s been helping manage the team along with assistant coach Ben Law, assumes his new duties immediately.