Jan. 18, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Brian Copham, the top assistant coach at Samford University, was officially named the head women's soccer coach at Jacksonville University on Friday, announced JU director of athletics Alan Verlander.

Copham, 30, is a native of Trussville, Ala., and a 1999 graduate of UAB. He spent the previous eight years at Samford and helped the Bulldogs win four conference championships and qualify for a pair of NCAA Tournaments. In 2005, Samford advanced past 19th-ranked Vanderbilt to reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

"I am excited to be taking over a good team at an excellent school in a great city," said Copham. "I want to thank Alan Verlander for giving me the opportunity to take the JU women's soccer program to the next level. I have tremendously enjoyed my time at Samford and I have made a lot of great friends that will be very difficult to leave, and have learned a great deal in my time here.

"I want to thank Todd Yelton for his leadership, friendship and for being a great mentor the last seven years. I will also miss the players and (Assistant Coach) Jay (Yelton), but I know they are in good hands and are going to continue to work hard and have tremendous success in the SoCon. Lastly, I want to thank Bob Roller for his commitment to the women's soccer program."

At Samford, Copham assisted in recruiting five-straight top-20 classes in the Southeast Region according to Soccer Buzz Magazine. Four of the last five classes were ranked nationally, including the 2007 class that placed 68th in the country.

Copham assisted in recruiting five-straight top-20 classes in the Southeast Region according to Soccer Buzz Magazine.

"I am extremely happy for Brian and I wish him all best as the head coach at Jacksonville University," said Samford head coach Todd Yelton. "We know that he will do a wonderful job down there and his teams will challenge for Atlantic Sun Conference championships year-in and year-out."

As an athlete, Copham played three seasons for the top-25 ranked UAB and received the Coaches' Award in 1998. Also a success in the classroom, Copham received numerous academic awards, including being named to the Commissioner's Honor Roll several times.

Copham played with a Birmingham semiprofessional soccer team, the Alabama Saints, during the 1998 season.

Along with his collegiate coaching duties, Copham has served on the Alabama Olympic Development Program staff for the last five years. He has earned his USSF "A" license, along with the NSCAA Goalkeeper 1 license.

Copham, who was born in Seminole, Fla., graduated from UAB with a degree in civil and environmental engineering in 1999 and completed his masters in civil engineering in 2004.