EVANSVILLE, Ind. - Head coach Marshall Ray has added Brett Bentley and Andrew Livingston to the University of Evansville men's soccer coaching staff as assistant coach and graduate assistant coach.

Bentley joins the Purple Aces following a pair of banner years as head coach at Adams State in Alamosa, Colo.

In 2017, Bentley's side went on to break program records established and just narrowly missed out on the program's first conference tournament appearance, finishing with a 7-10-1 record. This followed a 2016 season in which  Bentley got to work quickly, building one of the best men's soccer teams in Adams State program history. The 2016 Grizzlies tied the then program-best mark for wins in a season with six. 

In addition to being the Grizzlies head coach, Coach Bentley has served as an assistant coach with the Southern California Seahorses of the Premier Developmental League (PDL).  The PDL is considered the 3rd division in the United States Soccer Leagues Professional Pyramid.  Labeled the "Path2Pro", the PDL is an amateur league designed for elite, under 23 aged players who are pursuing a professional career in soccer.  

Before joining Adams State, Bentley served in coaching roles at Lubbock Christian University (Texas) (2015), Northwest Christian University (Ore.) (2010-15), Corban University (2009-10), the Cascade Surge (2008-09), and Grand Canyon University (2007). His extensive background with the sport also positioned him as the training director and head coach for the Keizer Soccer Club from 2009-14.

As a player, Bentley played for the Region IV Olympic Development Team, the University of California-Riverside, and Yavapai Junior College before finishing his collegiate career at Corban University. He spent three seasons playing for the Cascade Surge (Salem, Ore.) of the Premier Developmental League in the USL, one season in which he doubled as a player and coach. Additionally, Bentley spent time playing and living in Germany, spending time with AFC Waldorf, VFL Kircheim, and SC Geislingen.

"I would like to thank Coach Ray and Director of Athletics Mark Spencer for this opportunity," said Bentley. "It is an incredible honor to be part of the University of Evansville and the men's soccer program.  I look forward to working with a strong group of returning and incoming players and believe that great things are on the horizon.  Additionally, I would like to send my thanks to the families, players and administration at Adams State University for all their support." 

Livingston joins the Purple Aces after a season working with Northwestern's women's soccer team.

A native of Hamilton, Scotland, Livingston helped the Wildcats to a 14-6-2 record in 2015 as a volunteer assistant coach. Livingston assisted head women's soccer coach Michael Moynihan in various aspects of running the program including in game coaching, individual and small group instruction, large group instruction, video analysis and individual meetings. While with Northwestern, Livingston also served as Director of Coaching for Bloomingdale Lightning Travel Soccer Club and Head of Internal Coach Development of the Midwest Region for UK Soccer International.

Livingston's coaching experience spans internationally, as well, as coach for Nordjyllands Idraetshojskole in Denmark where Livingston worked with both male and female players.

Other coaching stints for Livingston include assistant coach at St.Thomas University (2013), administrator for The Schulz Academy (2012), and coach for Owensboro United Travel Soccer Club and Academy (2009-11).

During his playing career, Livingston predominantly operated as a central midfielder, spending his pre-collegiate years in the Scottish professional youth league representing both Dundee United and Kilmarnock. In 2009, Livingston began his collegiate career at Brescia University in nearby Owensboro, Kentucky before transferring to conclude his athletic and academic career at Saint Thomas University in Miami, Fla. 

After college, Livingston continued his soccer career captaining Miami United of the NPSL during their inaugural season in 2012. In 2013, he was then given the chance graduate to the professional level of the game briefly representing Queens Park F.C. back in his native Scotland. Choosing to seek another challenge he then moved to Denmark where he spent time with AB Copenhagen of the Danish 1st Division before finding a home with Jammerbugt FC of the Danish 2nd Division. Following the conclusion of the 2014 season, due to an injury, Livingston decided to retire from playing and focus on his coaching career.

"It is tremendous being part of a program where players have the intellectual capacity and mental sagacity to fulfill their potential," said Livingston. "I am obsessed with providing each of them an optimum environment to be successful and remain incredibly thankful to Marshall Ray for giving me this opportunity. "Moving forward I am excited to build a special relationship with myself, UE Men's Soccer, and the entire community here in Evansville."

The Purple Aces head into the 2018 campaign following a successful 2017 season that saw UE amass an 11-8-2 record, advancing to the semifinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. 2017 marked the first time since the 1995 and 1996 seasons that the Aces won double-digit matches in consecutive seasons. Evansville concluded the season as the highest-ranked MVC team in RPI.

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