Corban's new head men's soccer coach Aaron Lewis (left) is welcomed by Interim Director of Athletics Tim Seiber, as Lewis will be taking over for former head coach Paul Meehan after he accepted a position at Gonzaga University.
Changes Announced for Men's Soccer Program at Corban University
SALEM, Ore. – Corban University's Department of Athletics has chosen Aaron Lewis to succeed Paul Meehan and lead the Warriors' men's soccer program, as Meehan has accepted an offer from Gonzaga University where he will be an assistant coach for the Bulldogs.
“There's a touch of sadness in saying 'good-bye' to Paul. He's such a high-caliber coach who's done a tremendous job turning around our program,” said Tim Seiber, Interim Director of Athletics. “But to have talent and Christian character like Aaron ready and able to step into this leadership role — we couldn't be more grateful.”
Meehan joined Corban in 2010 and coached the Warriors for three seasons, while directing the team to the Cascade Collegiate Conference Final in 2011 and earning Co-Coach of the Year Honors.
“I'd like to thank Dave Bale, Dave Johnson, and Tim Seiber for giving me the chance to coach here over three years ago,” said Meehan. “The support they have provided while keeping the focus on Christ has been second to none. I have learned a great deal from this experience and have been blessed by countless individuals. I will sincerely miss the players, and feel very good about the current condition of the program and the direction that it will continue to move.”
“I'm very eager to begin at Gonzaga. This is an outstanding opportunity for my family and me.”
Lewis moves into the head role after serving as an associate head coach under Meehan for the last three years.
“I'm thrilled that Coach Lewis will be taking over,” said Meehan. “He has played a huge part in the development of this program in the past three years. He knows the vast majority of the team, he is battle tested in the CCC and will clearly hit the ground running. Corban could not have hired a more perfect fit than Aaron. I am very happy for him, his family and the players.”
Lewis, who was inducted as part of the first-ever Warrior Hall of Fame Class in 2010, helped lead Western Baptist to four straight Cascade Collegiate Conference titles, and was named CCC Player of the Year in both 1996 and 1998. He also earned three All-CCC 1st Team honors (1995, 1996, & 1998), while helping lead the Warriors to the 1996 National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association (NCCAA) national championship.
Lewis was the first player in NAIA history to be drafted into Major League Soccer when the Dallas Burn (FC Dallas) selected him with the 35th overall selection in the 1999 MLS College Super Draft. After his time in Dallas, Lewis played professionally indoors for the Portland Pythons of the World Indoor Soccer League.
Lewis has worked for the Portland Timbers since the organization made the move to Major League Soccer prior to the 2011 season. Primarily focusing on managing the Timbers U-23s program, he has helped it become one of the most elite PDL programs in the country. Seven players from the U-23s program entered Major League Soccer camps during this past off season including current Timbers Steven Evans and Dylan Tucker-Gagnes.
Prior to coaching at Corban, Lewis was the head boys coach at Portland Christian High School where he led the Royals to an OSAA state title in 2008. Lewis was named Oregon Athletic Coaches Association (OACA) Coach of the Year in 2008 and Columbia River League Coach of the Year in both 2007 and 2009. During his time at PCHS, Lewis guided the team to three straight Columbia River League championships, that included 30 straight matches without a loss.
Lewis has also been well connected in the Club soccer scene for several years, and currently coaches for the Eastside Timbers.
“I would like to thank Dr. Sheldon Nord, Tim Seiber and Paul Meehan for entrusting me with the opportunity to represent Corban University by leading its men's soccer program,” said Lewis.
“I could not be more thrilled about coming back to the place that helped shape me and my career. Coach Meehan has done a tremendous job over the past three years establishing a productive team culture, while lifting the program to where it is today. We have a roster of players that I believe strongly in, and I am looking forward to working with them as soon as possible.”
Lewis currently resides in Boring with his wife, Anna, and six children (Emilie, Eli, Grace, Anderson, Austin & Joy). The Lewis family currently attends Good Sheppard Community Church.