East Texas Baptist University

East Texas Baptist Tiger Athletics
One Tiger Drive Marshall, TX 75670

Division 3 Texas South

Private Small Developing team

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Chris Crawford

A familiar face has been called upon to return as the head coach for the men's soccer program for 2024 as ETBU announced that Chris Crawford will lead the program. Crawford had a very successful three-year reign as head coach for ETBU from 2016-18 winning 25 matches and posting their first 10-win season in 13 years.

"I am excited to welcome Coach Crawford back as the Head Coach of Tiger Soccer. His passion and commitment to Christ-centered athletics, discipleship and excellence in all areas of the student-athlete experience makes him the perfect fit for ETBU and the Men's Soccer program. I am looking forward to seeing the impact Coach Crawford has on the team and the student-athletes as he invests in the lives of his players, academically, spiritually and athletically," Vice President for Student Engagement and Athletics Ryan Erwin said.

Crawford had 15 players earn All-ASC awards and hosted ETBU's first-ever NCAA Division III post-season match on campus in 2018. His 25 wins as a head coach are second all-time in program history behind storied head coach Jose Alonzo's 184 wins.

"My family and I are extremely thrilled to be back with ETBU Men's Soccer and continue in building on this great program. I am beyond thankful for Dr. Blackburn and Mr. Erwin for trusting in me and allowing my family and to pour into these student-athletes and invest in the future of ETBU Soccer," says Crawford.

The 2018 season was Crawford's finest season taking ETBU as they hosted and won the program's first post-season match against the University of the Ozarks in the American Southwest Conference tournament, 1-0. They were also seconds away from playing for the ASC Tournament championship falling to Texas Dallas, 1-0, in double overtime as a goal was scored in the 109th minute in the semi-final match. That season produced 10 wins which was the most since 2005. Six players earned All-ASC awards and Daniel Rutter and Bryant Botello made the ASC All-Tournament team. ETBU also upset #25 Texas Dallas, 2-1, in regular season as part of their six-match unbeaten streak in the season. His first two seasons brought 15 wins with nine in the 2016 season.

Discipleship was a major part of Crawford's program as he started weekly Bible studies and monthly community service. He also took his 2017 team to Nicaragua on a Tiger Athletic Mission Experience (TAME) trip.

Prior to ETBU, Crawford re-started the Dallas Baptist University men's soccer program in 2012 serving as the head coach for three seasons. He was on the South Central Region rankings committee for the United Soccer Coaches (USC) and a member of the NCAA Division II regional advisory committee for two years. He has an USC national and advanced national diploma and worked as a coach at both the FCA Dallas and Exact Camp soccer clinics.

Crawford played collegiately at DBU from 1999-2001 and received a bachelor's degree in Christian Studies and two Masters Degrees in Kinesiology and Higher Education. He is married to Kerry and they have four children in Maggie (13), Easton (12), Mollie Blake (10), and Chandler (10). He will also continue in his role at ETBU as the Assistant Vice President of University Operations.

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Isaiah Simien

Simien enters his first year (2023) as a graduate assistant coach for Chad Cox. The former ETBU men's soccer player was a four-year letterman from San Antonio, Texas, that played in 51 matches.

The two-time All-ASC player helped ETBU to two ASC Tournaments in 2019 and spring 2021. He was a two-time All-ASC second team selection in 2019 and fall 2021 along with being the ASC Player of the Week, once. He collected 18 career goals, five assists, and 41 points with 136 shots. He posted nine goals, three assists, and 21 points. In his junior season, hea added seven goals for 14 points.

He graduated from ETBU in May 2022 with a Bachelor's Degree and is currently working on his Master's Degree.