TACOMA, Washington – Longtime Puget Sound men's soccer head coach Reece Olney made the difficult decision to step down from his post with the Loggers. Former Logger student-athlete Sam Zisette '16 has been named Puget Sound's interim head coach.
 
"It has been an honor to be a part of Puget Sound athletics and coach so many student-athletes for nearly three decades," said Olney. "However, after a great amount of thought, I feel the time is right for me to step away. I have a lot of confidence in the team and what they are capable of doing this year as well as in the program's future."  
 
Olney took over the helm for Puget Sound in 1994. Through 29 seasons, Olney and the Loggers posted an overall record of 325-168-63 (.641).
 
Under Olney's leadership, the Loggers won Northwest Conference titles in 1999, 2002, 2006, and 2013. In 1999, the Loggers reached the third round of the NCAA Tournament while finishing the season ranked sixth in the nation. Puget Sound set an NCAA Division-III record for biggest single-season improvement, going from 7-12-1 in 1998 to 20-2 in 1999.
 
Since that 1999 season, Puget Sound has finished .500 or better in every single fall season through 2022.
 
"I have long admired Reece's tenacity and drive for championship level play," said Puget Sound Director of Athletics Amy Hackett. "He has a unique talent to guide and mentor the student-athletes to achieve their goals - both in soccer and life. We will miss his passion for the work, and certainly his booming voice on the sidelines, that has brought the program great success over the past 29 seasons." 
 
Olney is a three-time NWC Coach of the Year, and he coached 11 All-Americans during his tenure. Among those All-Americans is the program's all-time leading scorer – and Puget Sound Hall of Famer - Chris Raymond '03.
 
Puget Sound earned several NWC Player of the Year honors during the NCAA D-III era with Olney. The list includes Luke Murdock (2018, offense); Carson Swope (2013, offense); Colin McIntosh (2013, defense); Pete Van Sant (2006, defense); Tyler Niemack (2003, offense); Raymond (2002; overall); Ryan Wittstruck (1999, overall).
 
Zisette played for Olney for four years, and he earned All-NWC First Team in 2015. Zisette has been an assistant coach with the Loggers since the 2016 season.