Aaron Lewis Steps Down as Director of Soccer, Accepts Role at Gonzaga

7/15/2019 7:52:00 AM

Jarett Thoren, Director of Athletic Communications

SALEM, Ore. – The Corban University athletic department announced on Monday morning that Aaron Lewis has accepted a position as associate head coach of the Gonzaga University men's soccer team, resigning—effective immediately—from his role as the Warriors' director of soccer. Lewis helmed the Corban men's squad for six years, most recently serving as the skipper of the women's program.  

"I want to personally thank coach Lewis for the outstanding job he did as director of soccer at Corban University," said Warrior director of athletics, Twiggs Reed. "What stands out to me, and what will make his presence at Corban so missed, was the way in which he cared for his team and developed student-athletes of faith, character, and integrity."

Lewis becomes the second Warrior head coach in as many months to transition to the NCAA Division I level, joining former head softball coach Abigail Farler, who was recently named the head softball coach of Abilene Christian University in Texas.

"Both Abigail and Aaron have built teams that excelled at the highest level nationally," Reed added. "These two coaches have shown that Corban University produces faith-filled coaches who succeed on the biggest stages and have opportunities to continue their careers at the highest collegiate level. They will continue to be a light for Christ in these new roles."

Lewis' history with the Warriors dates back to 1995, when he began his own playing career at then-Western Baptist. During his four yours, he was a part of four-straight Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) titles, was a three-time First-Team All-Conference honoree (1995, 1996, 1998), and was twice named the CCC Player of the Year (1996, 1998).

He would go on to become the first player in NAIA history to be drafted into Major League Soccer (MLS), selected by the Dallas Burn (FC Dallas) with the 35^th overall pick of the 1999 College Draft. For his outstanding achievements on the pitch, he was inducted into the inaugural Warrior Hall of Fame Class in 2010. 

As a head coach, Lewis served as a figurehead at Corban and in the local and regional soccer communities, leaving Salem as one of the most successful skippers in school history. During his time at the helm of the men's program, Lewis compiled an astonishing 95-23-9 (.783) overall record, making him the winningest coach—both by total wins and win percentage—in team history.

Additionally, Lewis pioneered the squad's historic ongoing streak of NAIA National Tournament appearances, reaching the distinguished stage in his first season at the helm (2013) and returning to the national championships in each of the five years afterward. The Navy and Gold captured three CCC Tournament Titles, two CCC Regular-Season Championships, and made a pair of NAIA Final Site appearances during that stretch.

"Corban has been, and will continue to be, a very special place for me," said Lewis. "The people I have worked alongside, and the players I've been fortunate to lead, have left a lasting impression on my family and me. I truly feel like I've become a better person and coach because of them."

Corban continues to prove itself a home for elite athletes and coaches alike, with Lewis adding his name to the list of former Warriors who have gone on to continue their careers at an even more prestigious level.  

Further information about the leadership of the women's soccer program will be announced in the coming days.