Ankeny girls’ soccer coach Simon Brown has been named an assistant coach for the Wisconsin men’s soccer program.
Brown is planning to finish out the current season with the Hawkettes while he gets settled in Madison.
“I’ll be going back and forth as much as possible for games and practices,” Brown said. “These girls deserve to have their season, and I don’t want to be a (distraction).”
Brown has also resigned from his position as the men’s coach at William Penn, where he took a team that was unranked five years ago to No. 2 in the country.
“Simon had an outstanding year at William Penn, so the news of him getting this new role wasn’t too surprising,” said Ankeny senior midfielder Alli Macke. “He deserves it, and the team and myself are all very excited for him.”
The Statesmen lost in the NAIA national championship game in a penalty kick shootout in December.
“After the season, when you do good things, people come calling for you,” Brown said. “I got recommended by a peer to apply for this job. I went through the interview process and got offered the job Sunday. I accepted it on Monday.”
Brown replaces Ryan Osborne, who left after two seasons on Neil Jones’ staff to become the head coach at Wofford.
“The timing of it isn’t amazing, but this was something that I couldn’t turn down,” Brown said. “They’re a top, top team. It’s one of those opportunities that doesn’t come around all the time, and it was one that I had to snatch.”
Brown took over the Ankeny program in 2019 and immediately led the Hawkettes to the Class 3A state title. He has compiled a 79-20-2 record in his five-plus seasons at the school, including a 3-0-1 mark this spring.
Brown has led Ankeny to five consecutive state tournament appearances. The Hawkettes placed second in 2021 and reached the semifinals two other times.
“I’m really grateful to have gotten to play for such a great coach all four of my years here at Ankeny,” Macke said. “He’s helped build this program and give it a legacy that I know will continue after he leaves.”
Brown’s current team is ranked No. 1 in Class 3A heading into Monday’s annual Ankeny Derby showdown against No. 6 Ankeny Centennial.
“(Activities Director) Mike Bakker has been very supportive of us,” Brown said. “We’re just trying to give the kids the best experience that we can. You’ll still see me around, but I just may not be around as much.”
Junior defender Avery Taylor is among the players who will have to adapt to a new coach next season.
“It’s sad to see him leave, but I’m not completely shocked,” Taylor said. “He is a great coach with the ability to pursue his career at a very high level. I feel so lucky to have had such an elite coach my first three years. As an incoming senior, I am hopeful that this group can achieve great things next year despite Simon’s absence–myself and a few others plan to be strong leaders to help the new coach’s transition. We have a young roster, but with a lot of talent so I think any coach will be able to form a successful team.”
Macke, an Iowa recruit, will occasionally cross paths with Brown over the next few years.
“Although he’s leaving Ankeny, I’m excited to still run into him in the Big Ten,” Macke said. ‘We’ve already talked about how the Iowa vs. Wisconsin women’s game will be in Madison next fall, so I look forward to seeing him then!”