GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Tusculum College men's soccer assistant coach Todd Eason has announced he is leaving the two-time South Atlantic Conference champion Pioneers to become the Director of Player Development with Mississippi Brilla Juniors, and associate head coach of the Brilla PDL team.

Eason and Head Coach Brett Teach have transformed the Pioneers into a yearly contender in not only the conference, but the nation as a whole, in just two seasons at the Greeneville, Tenn. school. Tusculum has posted a combined 31-12-3 record over the last two campaigns, netting a pair of SAC championships and advancing into the NCAA Tournament twice.

"Todd has been intricately involved in every aspect of the program from day one, and was always willing to jump in and do what was needed to succeed on and off the field," said Teach.

Teach and Eason took the Pioneer men's soccer program to new heights in 2008, as the team won a school-record 20 matches, and advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament for the fourth time in five years in addition to capturing both the SAC regular season and tournament titles. The Pioneers also garnered a total of 42 individual awards in 2008, including eight All-America selections. Combined with the honors earned by the 2007 squad, the Pioneers have collected 55 individual awards, including a pair of SAC Coach of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors.

Prior to his arrival at Tusculum, Eason served two seasons as head coach at North Georgia College & State University. While at the Dahlonega, Ga. school, his teams posted a 15-18-3 record, including 10-6-2 in 2005. Playing in its first year as a member of the Peach Belt Conference, North Georgia advanced to the tournament semifinal in 2005.

Eason, a native of Atlanta, Ga., spent three seasons as the head women's soccer coach at Southern Wesleyan University in Central, S.C. from 2002-05. While working for SWU, he helped the Lady Warriors reach the Georgia Alabama Carolina Conference (GACC) Tournament semi-finals and the finals at the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Regional. He led the Lady Warriors to an 8-10-2 record as well as a fifth place finish in the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC). Eason was named 2003 GACC Women's Soccer Coach of the Year, as well as GACC Women's Sports Coach of the Year after SWU went 11-5-2 on the season and finished fourth overall in the GACC regular season. Prior to working at SWU, Eason was the inaugural women's soccer coach at Asbury College in Wilmore, Ky. from 2001-02.

Eason attended William Carey College in Gulfport, Miss., where he was a four-year starter for the Crusaders. While at William Carey, he twice earned All-Conference honors as well as being named team most valuable player in his senior season. He also helped lead the team to three appearances in the NAIA National Tournament.

Eason graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. After graduating, he played two years in the USISL with the Jackson Chargers. During that time he coached the men's soccer team at Jackson Academy in Mississippi. In addition, he won the state championship for two consecutive years with the Jackson Futbol Club girls Division 1 Select team. He also played professionally in the USL with the Charlotte Eagles in 2000 and 2001.

Eason is a certified coach with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). In 2007, he was named the Tusculum Staff Member of the Year, which is selected by the student body at the College.

"Coach Eason will be sorely missed," said Teach. "