Lincoln, Neb.—Head coach John Walker announced Tuesday the hiring of former professional soccer great and Canadian National Team coach Ian Bridge as assistant coach for the Nebraska soccer team. Bridge will assist Walker in developing player skills and game strategies, while using his coaching depth to bring further experience to the program. Bridge replaces former NU assistant Peter Underwood, who was killed in a car crash on May 16.

“Ian is a veteran coach with incredible experience and background,” Walker said. “He and I have worked before many times in the Canadian National Teams program, and I know that he will be a good fit within our program. Lastly, he is a good person and teacher and our players will learn a lot from him.”

A native of Victoria, B.C., Bridge stacks up an impressive list of coaching experience, acting as an assistant coach for the Canadian national women’s soccer team for the past 19 years. He coached as an assistant for the Canada U-19/U-20 women’s team from 2001-2008, leading the team to the U-19 World Cup finals and four total U-20 FIFA world cup appearances before stepping down in 2008. Bridge also served as the head coach of the U-17 team from 2009-2010. From 2010-12, Bridge was the head coach of the Victoria Highlanders PDL men’s team and helped the Highlanders earn a berth into the 2011 SW playoffs. 

Before entering onto the coaching scene, Bridge enjoyed over a decade-long professional soccer career from 1979-1991. To begin his career, Bridge played as a defender in the North American Soccer League (NSAL) with the Seattle Sounders (1979-83) before a brief stint with the Vancouver Whitecaps in 1984. He saw playing time in 124 games in six seasons with the NASL and recorded 13 career goals before traveling to Switzerland to play for the FC Chaux-de-Fonds from 1985-1990. Bridge returned to North America to play in the Canadian Soccer League, first with the Victoria Vistas in 1990. Upon his professional retirement in 1991, Bridge competed for the Kitchener Kickers and the North York Rockets that same year. Bridge was inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame in 2003.

“I’m excited to join a tradition-rich program such as Nebraska,” Bridge said. “I’ve known John for a very long time, and I’m honored to be a part of a great university. I’m looking forward to working with him and the team.”

Prior to joining the Nebraska staff, Bridge served as an assistant coach for the University of Victoria men’s soccer team for the past two seasons. Bridge helped the Vikes to a 10-3-3 overall record for the 2014 season, including a trip to the men’s Canada West Final Four.

The Huskers gear up for the regular season opener this Friday, Aug. 21 against Kansas at 7:05 p.m. at Hibner Stadium.

Coaching Experience:

• University of Victoria Women’s Soccer Head Coach (1990-2000)
• Canadian Women’s National Team Assistant Coach (1997-2009)
• Canadian U-19/20 National Team Assistant Coach (2001-2008)
• Canadian Women’s Olympic Team Assistant Coach (2008)
• Canadian U-17 National Team Head Coach (2009-2010)
• Victoria Highlanders PDL Men’s Team Head Coach (2010-2012)
• University of Victoria Men’s Soccer Assistant Coach (2013-2015)

Playing Experience:

• Seattle Sounders (1979-1983)
• Vancouver Whitecaps (1984)
• Canadian Olympic Team (1984)
• Tacoma Stars (1985-1986)
• Canadian FIFA World Cup Team (1986)
• FC La Chaux-de-Fonds (Switzerland)(1985-1990)
• Victoria Vistas (1990)
• Kitchener Kickers (1991)
• North York Rockets (1991)