BLACKSBURG, Va. -- The Virginia Tech Department of Athletics has announced the promotion of Mike Brizendine to the position of head men’s soccer coach.

Brizendine has been the top assistant at Virginia Tech for the past five seasons. He replaces former head coach Oliver Weiss, who resigned earlier this month.

An experienced coach on all levels, Brizendine helped guide the Hokies to their first NCAA College Cup appearance in school history in the 2007 season. In addition to coordinating all recruiting efforts, he has worked with all aspects of the Hokie program. For his contributions, Brizendine was recognized as the NSCAA’s Atlantic Region Assistant Coach of the Year in 2007.

“Mike Brizendine possesses the skills we value in our head coaches,” Director of Athletics Jim Weaver said. “He has a great deal of experience in coaching, including three seasons as a collegiate head coach. Mike is respected as an outstanding recruiter and is proven to be an effective communicator.”

Brizendine joined the Hokie staff after four seasons at Bridgewater College. After assisting both the men’s and women’s programs at Bridgewater in 2000, he was the head men’s coach from 2001 until 2003. Brizendine led Bridgewater to its two best single-season records, 12-6 in 2003 and 11-7 in 2002, for a 23-13 mark over his final two seasons. In 2003, his peers named him Old Dominion Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. Prior to his time at Bridgewater College, he was an assistant coach at Ferrum College for the men’s soccer team in 1999. He has also been active in youth soccer programs.

“I would like to thank Jim Weaver and the administration for the confidence they have shown in me,” Brizendine said. “I am both humbled and exhilarated for the opportunity that has been presented to me. I am completely dedicated to continue building men’s soccer at Virginia Tech into the national power it deserves to be.”

Brizendine graduated from James Madison University in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in religion and a minor in business. In 2005, he earned his master of education from Virginia Tech. He has his USSF “B” license and an Advanced National Coaching License from the NSCAA.

As a player, he lettered four seasons at JMU from 1995-98 and ended his career sixth in all-time scoring for the Dukes. He earned all-conference and all-region recognition during his four-year career. He also played professionally with the Roanoke Wrath in 1999 and the Northern Virginia Royals in 2000 and 2001 of the Division 3 league.

Brizendine and his wife, Lucy, reside in Blacksburg, Va.