Bates College Athletics announced Ben Brewster as its 11th head men's soccer coach in February 2024.
In the fall of 2025, Brewster guided Bates to a 7-6-3 record and its first NESCAC postseason appearance since 2019. The Bobcats allowed just 12 goals in 16 matches, recorded seven clean sheets, and finished No. 38 in the NCAA Power Index (NPI). Bates' 0.75 goals-against average ranked tied for 29th nationally and set a program record (since 2000). The team also earned its first win over Amherst since 2004, its first victory at Amherst since 1992, and defeated Bowdoin, 2-0, for its first back-to-back wins over the Polar Bears since 1998-99. Four Bobcats earned All-NESCAC honors, the most in program history, while the team received the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award for the third consecutive year after posting a 3.7 GPA during the 2025-26 academic year. Brewster is currently a candidate for the U.S. Soccer Federation "A" License.
In his first season at Bates in 2024, Brewster led the Bobcats to a 6-7-2 record and a ninth-place finish in the highly competitive NESCAC. Bates recorded six clean sheets—one of the top single-season totals in program history—while lowering its goals-against average from 1.6 to 0.6 and increasing its scoring average from 1.0 to 1.33 goals per match. The Bobcats also earned eight additional conference points, highlighted by the program's first home victory over Bowdoin since 1999.
Off the field, Bates earned the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award with a 3.75 GPA, the fifth-highest among all NCAA men's soccer programs. Individually, Tife Agunloye became the first three-time All-NESCAC selection in program history while earning Second Team All-Region honors.
Before arriving at Bates, Brewster spent seven seasons at UMass Amherst under head coach Fran O'Leary, who had also coached him during his collegiate career at Bowdoin. Brewster was promoted to associate head coach in 2019.
Brewster helped guide the Minutemen to one of 14 at-large bids to the 2020 NCAA Tournament and a first-round bye. UMass ranked 15th nationally in goals and 25th in assists that season.
In his first season as associate head coach, Brewster helped UMass lead the Atlantic 10 with a 0.93 goals-against average, ranking among the nation's top 30. During his tenure, the Minutemen captured Atlantic 10 regular-season and tournament championships, becoming the first conference program to accomplish the double since 1991. UMass also qualified for four consecutive Atlantic 10 Tournaments, matching a program record.
A standout student-athlete at Bowdoin, Brewster served as team captain during his junior and senior seasons and concluded his career as a 2013 NSCAA First Team All-American. A two-time team MVP, he helped lead the Polar Bears to the NCAA Division III Final Four and was named the 2010 NESCAC Rookie of the Year. Brewster also earned first-team all-region and all-conference honors in men's soccer and was an All-America honorable mention in men's lacrosse. He received Bowdoin's George Levine Memorial Award in 2011 and 2013 and the prestigious Sid Watson Award in 2013-14, recognizing excellence in athletic achievement and leadership.
Following graduation, Brewster captained the Seacoast United Phantoms to the 2014 Premier Development League Northeast Division title before signing with the Tulsa Roughnecks of the United Soccer League in 2015, where he started 19 matches. He later played for San Francisco FC in the Premier Development League while beginning his coaching career at The Bay School of San Francisco, leading the varsity boys' program to its first North Coast Section playoff appearance and victory since 2012.
A native of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, Brewster earned a bachelor's degree in history from Bowdoin and a master's degree in sport management from UMass' Isenberg School of Management. He currently holds a U.S. Soccer Federation National "B" License.
What they are saying about Ben Brewster:
"Congratulations to the Bates Athletic Department on a fantastic hire! Ben is one of the top young coaches in the country and I am certain the progress Bates soccer makes in the coming seasons will add credence to this statement. He was a joy to both coach and then work with and I am certain the Bates players will enjoy playing for him. His work ethic and ability to relate to players are second to none. More importantly, his desire to develop his players for life after Bates will positively impact their lives. Ben is a great guy who will be truly missed by everyone at the University of Massachusetts. We look forward to what he will achieve as the new leader of Bates Men's Soccer!" -- Fran O'Leary, Men's Soccer Head Coach, University of Massachusetts Amherst
"When Ben was a student at Bowdoin he was an extra coach on the field for our soccer and lacrosse programs, and I am thrilled that his passion for coaching and mentoring student-athletes has brought him back to the NESCAC and the State of Maine. Ben will be a wonderful addition to the Bates campus community and the soccer community in Maine." -- Tim Ryan, Ashmead White Executive Director of Athletics, Bowdoin College
"Ben is a home run hire for Bates. He has a very high soccer IQ, is a tireless recruiter, and is an amazing educator. Most importantly, Ben is a fantastic person whose values and character will have an immediate and positive impact on the Bates soccer program for years to come. I'm thrilled for Ben to have this opportunity and wish him well on this next endeavor. Go Bobcats!" -- Kirsten Britton, Deputy Athletic Director for Sports Administration/SWA, University of Massachusetts Amherst
"Ben Brewster will be an outstanding new leader of the Bates Men’s soccer program. He will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience, both on and off the pitch. Ben is a very good recruiter and is going to lift the program to prominent success. He's an excellent fit, congratulations to all!" -- Michael Mordocco, Head Men's Soccer Coach, Long Island University
