EUGENE, Ore. – The Bushnell University athletic department announces the return of Will Hander as the Interim Men’s Soccer Head Coach for the 2021 season.
Hander replaces Erik Carrazco, who has chosen to take a step back but remain with the program as the Associate Head Coach. Carrazco also remains a member of the staff of the Financial Aid office at Bushnell.
Carrazco said, “This past year as a head coach was amazing. Despite that challenges that we faced as a university and as a program navigating the pandemic, I wouldn’t change it for the world. I would often remind our guys that on the other side of challenges is growth, and I felt like I grew significantly this year professionally and personally.
“Stepping down has been something I was considering for a while, but I wanted to be a part of the solution. I am excited to still be able to be around the program and Coach Hander’s transition back into the head coach role is the right choice at the right time for this team. I look forward to starting the season with him at the helm.”
Athletic Director Corey Anderson said, “With Erik’s decision to step away from the Head Coach title, I am happy for him as well as our team to keep him heavily involved with our program as the Associate Head Coach. I am appreciative of Coach Erik to include me in his decision to step away and continue to enjoy our ongoing relationship that we have had since his time as a student-athlete through his time as our Head Coach.”
“I am specifically excited to continue to support Bushnell’s efforts to create purposeful graduates,” said Carrazco. “Helping student-athletes outside of the arena of competition is something I am really passionate about and an aspect of this change that I am thrilled about.”
Coach Hander’s return comes after a one-year hiatus after stepping away due to family needs. Hander said, “It is good to be back! I am excited to be back on the sidelines for Bushnell again. Coach Carrazco has done a fantastic job over the past year and I am looking forward to working with him to continue to move the program forward this season.”
“This is an exciting time to welcome back Will Hander to be the new leader of the Bushnell men’s soccer team,” said Anderson. “While it is obviously late to be announcing a coaching change, bringing Coach Hander back as our interim coach is different than most. While it was difficult for him to step away I am excited for our team to re-engage with him to glean his energy, passion, and insight for the sport of soccer.”
Hander’s extensive coaching background includes stints with Linfield College and a number of high profile club programs throughout the state. He has spent time as the Technical Advisor with TFA Willamette Futbol Club and was the head coach for their U23 team.
He was an assistant coach for the women’s program at Corban University from 2016-2017, during which time the team went 22-12-2 after going just 7-11-1 the previous season. His recruiting efforts helped to land the 2016 Cascade Collegiate Conference Newcomer of the Year along with six All-CCC performers.
More recently, he served as the coach at Philomath High School, leading the team to the state championship in 2018. He holds a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) National Diploma as well as an NSCAA Advance National Diploma and a Level 1 Goalkeeping Diploma.