The WVU Tech Athletic Department has announced the appointment of Luis Cortell as the Interim Head Coach of the men’s soccer program. Coach Cortell, who has enjoyed successes as an athlete and assistant coach on the NCAA DII levels, will assume command of the Golden Bear program immediately.

“I am very grateful to be able to have my first head coaching experience at WVU Tech,” said Cortell. “I believe we have a skillful group of players, and I am looking forward to keep contributing to the success of the program. With hard work and determination I am hopeful that our team will be able to compete to get into the NAIA playoffs”.

Coach Cortell comes to WVU Tech by way of Tiffin University where he served as an assistant coach for the men’s and women’s programs for three years prior to taking over as the interim head coach of the women’s soccer program in November of 2009. Cortell also served as the men’s and women’s assistant coach/recruiting coordinator at the University of Findlay for four years and brings with him eight years of experience as coaching director and coach of the Liberty Benton and the Findlay Soccer Club in Ohio. Since 2002, Luis has also served as the assistant director of the successful “On the Ball” soccer camps in Ohio.

“We are very pleased to have a gentleman the caliber of Luis to take on the duties of coaching our men’s soccer team,” said Tech Athletic Director, Frank Pergolizzi. “We appreciate his taking the reins on such short notice and look forward to a great fall”.

Cortell is no stranger to coaching successful athletes or being a part of successful programs. Luis has been an integral part of coaching staffs that have produced 4 All-American Academic teams with the two most recent coming in 2008 and 2009, 1 All-American, 6 Conference Players of the Year, 9 All-Region Selections, 33 All-Conference Selections and 52 All-Academic Selections. In 2008 and 20009 Luis’ teams were also crowned as the GLIAC Tournament Champions.

As an athlete coach Cortell played for the University of Findlay where he was an vital part of the Oiler’s success, seeing action in 63 games, starting 60 of them. Luis also served as a team captain for two seasons, was named an NSCAA All-American, and was selected twice to the All-Region Team and three times to the All-GLIAC Team. During his playing career at Findlay, the Oiler’s enjoyed consistent success on the national level, concluding three seasons ranked 22nd, 24th and 5th in NCAA DII before finishing his collegiate playing career with a Final Four appearance. Luis closed out his playing career in 2005 after playing professionally for a season with the Toledo Slayers under head coach Lee Akliabar.

“I am looking forward to get down to business and see in which ways I can help to contribute to the men’s soccer team and the Montgomery community,” said Cortell. “I hope my first year as the head coach will teach me a lot about managing a soccer team at the highest level in the NAIA and take the program one step further each season”.