Golden Eagle Soccer
Coaches

Bob Gustavson
Head Coach

Bob Gustavson enters his 28th season as the head men’s soccer coach at John Brown University with a record of 357-254-57.  He took over the program in 1980, its third year of operation.

Gustavson is a graduate of the University of Connecticut ('68) where he majored in Physical Education and was a two sport letterman. He received an M.A. in Education from Connecticut in 1970 and a Ph.D. in Kinesiology from the University of Arkansas in 1997.

Gustavson first coached soccer in Tolland, Conn. and then moved on to revitalize the programs at Brandeis University and Barrington College. In addition, he coached in the Rhode Island ODP soccer program, and was the program director for a successful New England summer soccer camp.

In 1980, Gustavson moved to John Brown University. Under his direction the team has enjoyed tremendous success, including top 20 rankings, 20 post season tournament appearances, four trips to the NAIA national tournament (1988, 1993, 2002, 2003), and numerous district and regional championships. The Golden Eagles compete in the Sooner Athletic Conference, the highest rated men’s soccer conference in the nation.

Gustavson has been selected by his peers twelve times as the District Coach of the Year and four times as NAIA Regional Coach of the Year. He coached the 1994 West Squad in the Umbro Senior Classic. In 2000 and 2002, he was named Sooner Athletic Conference Coach of the Year and NAIA Regional Coach of the Year.

Coach Gustavson is an active member of several professional organizations. He is a past president of the NAIA Men's Soccer Coaches Association, the Region 6 Chairman, and has served in numerous other capacities during his tenure as soccer coach. He has earned an "A" coaching license from the USSF and is a popular and effective clinician. Gustavson operates the very successful and popular All-Star Soccer School located on the JBU campus.

He is active in his local church where he serves as an usher and lay reader. Gustavson is married and has three adult children and two grandchildren.