Justin Maullin named interim coach, Scott Brittsan promoted to full-time assistant

GREENSBORO, N.C. - UNC Greensboro Director of Athletics Kim Record announced Friday that men's soccer assistant coach Justin Maullin has been appointed head coach of the program on an interim basis and that part-time assistant coach Scott Brittsan will take over Maullin's duties as a full-time assistant.

Both appointments are effective immediately and will run through the end of the 2010 season. Following the conclusion of the 2010 season, a search will commence for the position of head coach. The interim appointments follow the retirement of Michael Parker earlier this week. Parker, who was the winningest active coach in Division I with 494 career wins, had been the coach at UNCG for the last 26 seasons, leading the program to three of its five national titles at the NCAA Division III level in the 1980s.

"In my short tenure at UNCG, I have been impressed with Justin Maullin's passion for the game and his commitment to UNCG men's soccer," said Record. "He has been the major recruiter for our program and is the best choice for leading our team this spring and for the 2010 season.

"In addition, Scott Brittsan may be UNCG's best men's soccer ambassador.  He has given tirelessly to the program on a part-time basis and I'm glad he has the opportunity to give us his full-time attention as Coach Maullin's assistant for the upcoming season."

Maullin, 34, has served as the program's full-time assistant for the last five seasons. A native of Johannesburg, South Africa, Maullin spent six seasons as an assistant at Central Florida before coming to UNCG. During Maullin's tenure at UCF, the Golden Knights won 10 or more matches in five out of six seasons, advancing to the NCAA Tournament each of his last three seasons. In his five seasons at UNCG, the Spartans have advanced to the NCAA Tournament three times, each appearance resulting in advancement to the round of 16.

"First and foremost, I want to thank Coach Parker for the opportunity that he gave me in 2005," said Maullin. "I have enjoyed working with him over the last five seasons. Second, I want to thank Kim Record and the UNCG administration for this opportunity and for the faith that they are showing in me to move the program forward. I need to also give a huge thank you to my wife, Brittany, and my parents for all of their love and support. I know that I have big shoes to fill, but I am excited about the challenge."

Maullin attended William Carey College in Gulfport, Miss. He graduated from William Carey in 1997 with a bachelor's degree in management and marketing. During his time with the Crusaders, he served as a team captain and earned NAIA Academic All-America honors. Maullin later earned a master's degree from UCF in business administration in December 2001.

"Justin Maullin has been instrumental in the success of several college soccer programs," said Bob Winch, who was the head coach at UCF when Maullin was with the Golden Knights and is now the head women's coach at The Citadel, where he won SoCon Coach of the Year honors this season. "He is a tireless worker and takes great pride in all his work. Just is an outstanding hire for UNCG as the student-athletes will benefit from his leadership."

"I think Justin is one the outstanding young coaches in the country," said Mike Noonan, who was just hired this past week at Clemson after an impressive run at Brown University that included 10 trips to the NCAA Tournament. "UNCG is very fortunate that he has been loyal to Coach Parker and stayed there at UNCG, and now the university has a chance to hire him. He is a definite commodity. I think very highly of Justin and think he will do a great job."

After his graduation from William Carey College, he stayed on with the Crusaders as an assistant men's soccer coach for two seasons, helping to guide the Crusaders to back-to-back NAIA national semifinal appearances. In April 2007, Maullin was inducted into William Carey's Wall of Fame for his post-graduation successes.

"I think Justin is the perfect choice for the position," said Parker. "He has worked long and hard for this opportunity. In addition, with signing day just around the corner, he is the right choice to keep the program moving forward in the recruiting process with those individuals that have already verbally committed to UNCG and those that the program has been pursuing. Both Justin and Scott know what it takes to get our program back to the top of the conference and into the NCAA Tournament. I know they will do well."

Brittsan has been a member of the coaching staff on a volunteer and part-time basis for the last 12 seasons. Prior to joining the Spartan staff, Brittsan was the varsity boys' soccer coach at Greensboro Day School, where he compiled a record of 77-20 in five years. In 1996, Brittsan was named Guilford County Coach of the Year and PACIS Conference Coach of the Year after leading the Bengals to a conference title and the state independent schools' title game.

A 1994 graduate of UNCG, Brittsan was a three-year member of the Spartan men's soccer team and was a member of the Division II national runner-up squad in 1989. He has also been active in Greensboro Soccer Club, where he has coached teams to two state titles and helps to oversee the U-15 and U-18 programs.

TRANSACTIONS:

UNC GREENSBORO - Named Justin Maullin interim head men's soccer coach. Promoted assistant coach Scott Brittsan to assistant coach on a full-time basis for the interim period.

- UNCG -