Brevard College

Brevard College Athletics
One Brevard College Drive Brevard, NC 28712

Division 3 North Carolina Southeast

Private Very Small Competitive team

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Coaches

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Helio D'Anna

Veteran soccer coach Helio D'Anna enters his fourth season at the helm of the Brevard College men's soccer program after qualifying for the postseason each of his first three seasons at Brevard.

D'Anna, simply known as "Coach L" by the soccer community, comes to Brevard College following 16 seasons as the Head Men's Soccer Coach at NCAA Division II Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee. At Lincoln Memorial, D'Anna compiled a 175-84-32 record with three NCAA tournament appearances. In his overall head coaching career, D'Anna has won 416 games with 287 wins as collegiate men's coach to go along with 129 wins as a women's coach. Over his entire career, he has coached 22 All-Americans, seven conference players of the year, and a national player of the year. In addition, three of his former players have moved on to join Major League Soccer (MLS) teams.

Since his appointment at Brevard College, D'Anna compiled a 13-9-4 record and a 2nd Place finish in the USA South West Division in 2019 and a trip to the ECAC DIII Men's Soccer Championships. In the 2020-21 season, the Tornados became the first program to win the USA South West Division title.

While the Head Coach at Lincoln Memorial from 2003-18, D'Anna led the Railsplitters to three NCAA tournament appearances including trips to the 2007 national championship game and the 2006 national semifinals. As Head Coach of the men's program at LMU, D'Anna coached four first-team All-Americans, a National Player of the Year, two South Atlantic Conference Players of the Year and 14 different All-South Atlantic Conference First-Team selections.

From 2003-16, D'Anna also served as LMU's Head Women's Soccer Coach where he guided the Railsplitters to three NCAA tournament appearances as well as a two conference titles.

At Lincoln Memorial, D'Anna was named the Appalachian Region Men's Soccer Coach of the Year in 2007 and an NCAA National Coach of the Year finalist in 2006.

Prior to his tenure at Lincoln Memorial, D'Anna held the positions of Head Men's Soccer Coach and Assistant Athletic Director at Union College (Ky.) from 1995-2002. At Union College, D'Anna led the Bulldogs to four Mid-South Conference titles and was named conference coach of the year four times. Additionally, he was named NCAA South Region Coach of the Year in 2004.

Additional experience for D'Anna includes a stint as Head Coach for the Professional Development League's Baton Rouge Capitals, Head Coach for the Kentucky Olympic Development Program as well as work as a columnist and talent recruiter for the Site University of Soccer.

A native of Campinas, Brazil, D'Anna holds a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education from the University of Campinas in Sao Paulo and a Master's degree in Physical Education and Health from Union College.

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Mario Pinto Neto

Mario Pinto has been named Volunteer Assistant Coach for the Brevard College Men's Soccer program, announced BC Head Men's Soccer Coach Helio "L" D'Anna. Pinto, who will be involved in all aspects of the program, begins his duties immediately.

Pinto, a native of Uberlandia, Brazil and a former student-athlete under the guidance of Coach D'Anna at Lincoln Memorial University, is currently pursuing his Master's degree in the new Health and Human Performance graduate program at Brevard College. At Lincoln Memorial, Pinto was one of the top forwards in the nation earning NCAA Division II First-Team All-America honors.

"Any coach would be proud of a former player with accomplishments such as these on the field," said D'Anna. "But it is really special when a player such as Mario opts to come back and serve as an assistant. We are very fortunate to have Mario as part of the Brevard College staff where he will add a lot to the program."

In just three seasons at Lincoln Memorial (2011-13), Pinto broke the program's career record for goals scored with 49, while also finishing second in program history in total points with 112. Pinto is tied for the all-time LMU record in game-winning goals with 13, while his 251 shots is the highest total in program history. His career stat ledger also includes 14 assists and a gaudy .195 shot percentage.

Pinto concluded his college career as a three-time All-South Atlantic Conference First Team selection, a three-time Daktronics All-Southeast Region honoree and a three-time NSCAA All-Southeast Region pick to go along with All-American honors by both Daktronics and the NSCAA. Pinto's 2012 season is among the greatest in LMU's history as he piled up 21 goals, five assists and four hat tricks to receive SAC and Daktronics Southeast Region Player of the Year distinctions.

Following his collegiate playing career at Lincoln Memorial, Pinto played professionally with EC Noroeste, a second division club located in Bauru, Sao Paulo, Brazil.