Brian Osborne | Head Men's Soccer Coach, Central Penn College & Head Track & Field Coach, Cedar Cliff High School
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Brian Osborne was announced as the head coach of the Central Penn College men’s soccer team in June 2021. Osborne arrived from the club and high school scene from 2012-2020. He is the 4th head men’s soccer coach in 10 seasons of the Knights’ program.
In just two seasons, Osborne has taken the program from a roster size of zero to a nationally recognized top-10 team competing for conference and national championships. Athletic Director, Kasey Hicks, recalls her directive to Osborne when he was hired.
“I simply told him I was handing him a blank canvas and to paint his own picture. It's safe to say, since then, he hasn't put down the brush. He has truly built a program that the entire campus can be proud of and he is not done yet. What he has been able to do with the Knights soccer program in two short years is nothing short of remarkable.”
In 2022, his first season at the helm, Osborne tallied seven wins and a third-place finish in the ESAC Conference standings. Three first year players received USCAA All-American status—Jaeger James and Jake Philippe for 1st team and Amson Charleston on 2nd team. James and Philippe also received ESAC 1st All-Conference honors. Sophomore goalkeeper, Andrew Hunter, was honored with USCAA Academic All-American status as well.
Osborne followed 2022 with an impressive 2023 season, finishing with a record of 12-4-1 (7-1 in ESAC action)—the best season in program history. Clinching the #1 seed and home field advantage in the ESAC Championship, his Knights fell short losing 4-3 to Manor College for an ESAC championship runner-up finish. Consistently ranked in the top-10 of the USCAA Coaches Poll all season, Osborne guided the Knights to a #8 ranking and narrowly missing the USCAA National Championship tournament. Statistically, it was a record-breaking year: Most wins (12), goals (69) and assists (36) in program history and the most USCAA All-Americans in Central Penn College history: 4 (Jake Philippe-1st team, Adam Youseff-1st team, Dylan Luong-1st team, Ali Korkutovic-Honorable Mention). Capping off the remarkable season, Osborne received ESAC Conference and USCAA Division II Coach of the Year honors. He is the second USCAA Coach of the Year in Central Penn College history.
Athletic Career
Osborne started his playing career with Trinity where he was a three-time All-Mid Penn Conference, All-Patriot News Big 11 first team, and All-Sentinel News. One of the all-time leading goal scorers at Trinity High School. Also, won a state championship in basketball in 2003 and multiple district and state medals in track & field in 2005. He continued his athletic career at Misericordia University where he was a two-year starter on the soccer field and an NCAA Regional qualifier on the track (200m and 400m). Finishing his athletic career as invited walk-ons for track & field and soccer at Temple University.
Personal Life
He is a Central Pennsylvania native growing up in Camp Hill and a 2005 graduate of Trinity High School. He is a 2011 graduate of Temple University with a degree in Sport and Recreation Management. Currently, Coach Osborne works in the Central Penn College admissions department as an Outreach Coordinator. He resides in Wormleysburg, PA. He is also in his 9th season as the head track & field coach at Cedar Cliff High School.
Philosophy
“I believe it’s all about R.O.I (Return On Investment). The college student-athlete experience requires individuals to invest their time, effort, and mental capacity year-round and I believe it takes a special type of toughness to do that. You get in return what you put into your experience. When you get full investment from players and coaches it creates something special. It’s a beautiful thing to see when it all comes together. That’s what we’re going to aim to do as a program.”
“My ultimate goal is to turn these young men into good productive members of society through the game of soccer. Winning is important to me, but my guys winning after they wear these uniforms and walk these halls takes precedence. It’s the duty and responsibility of any coach in my position. I’m honored I get the opportunity here at Central Penn.”