RIVER FOREST, ILL. – Concordia University Chicago and Director of Athletics John Jaramillo are excited to announce the hiring of Graham Brennan as the eighth head men's soccer coach in program history.
 
"I am excited to welcome Graham Brennan to Concordia University Chicago," Jaramillo said. "Graham knows how to build winning programs that are consistently competitive on the national stage. He cares immensely about the students on his teams and creating the best well-rounded experience possible for them. He is a relentless recruiter who brings in talented players and good human beings. His soccer acumen, strategies, and adaptability are first class. He is centered in his Christian faith as a person, husband, and father. I've seen Graham in action as a coach and a colleague before, and he will be an outstanding addition to our staff and the CUC community."
 
Brennan brings more than 25 years of coaching experience, a proven record of competitive success, and deep ties to the Chicagoland collegiate and elite soccer. He joins Concordia after serving the past six seasons on the Loyola University Chicago men's soccer coaching staff, including the 2025 season as the associate head coach. A Loyola graduate himself, Brennan has played an integral role in all facets of the Ramblers' program, including training design, game strategy, recruiting, scouting, travel coordination, and student-athlete development. Under his leadership, Loyola maintained an average team GPA above 3.65.

"I would like to thank John Jaramillo and Kathy Gebhardt for entrusting me with leading the men's soccer program," Brennan said. "I would also like to express my gratitude to the staff and players that took the time to meet with me when I first got to campus and gave me great insight into the potential the men's soccer program has at Concordia Chicago. I would also like to thank my wife, Libby, and son, Conor, for their full support and sacrifice on this journey with me as a coach."
 
Prior to his return to Loyola, Brennan served as the head men's soccer coach at Roosevelt University from 2012-2019, compiling an 84-60-11 (.577) overall record. His most notable season came in 2015, when he guided the Lakers to the best year in program history, finishing 16-4-2 overall and 11-0-1 in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) play to secure the program's first ever conference regular season championship. Roosevelt followed with a CCAC Tournament title, earning the program's first trip to the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship.
 
That historic run earned Brennan 2015 CCAC Coach of the Year honors, while Roosevelt climbed as high as 19^th ranked nationally in the NAIA Top 25 Coaches Poll. During his tenure, Brennan coached multiple all-conference, all-region, and All-America performers, while also emphasizing academic excellence and community engagement.
 
Brennan's coaching resume also includes collegiate and elite-level experience at Robert Morris University, where he spent four seasons as a varsity assistant and head junior varsity coach, helping rebuild the program and earning two postseason conference tournament appearances. He additionally served in leadership roles with the Chicago Fire Premier, eventually becoming head coach of the Fire's National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) team and leading the club's U23 squad to a national championship in 2010.
 
His career began in youth soccer with the Wilmette Wings, coaching U9-U14 teams from 2000-2007, and includes a previous stint as an assistant coach with Loyola in 2003.
 
"I see Concordia Chicago Men's Soccer taking a big step forward because of Graham's leadership, organization, and vision for the team,"" Jaramillo closed. "I look forward to partnering with him on creating a new standard of excellence for CUC Men's Soccer, and I am happy to welcome Graham, his wife Libby, and their son Conor to our Concordia Chicago community."

"I am hoping to bring a fresh energy and excitement that gets the current student-athletes motivated about the future of Concordia Chicago's men's soccer program," Brennan noted. "The staff will be here to support them on their journey and give them the best student-athlete experience possible."
 
A Chicago native, Brennan earned his BA from Loyola University Chicago, is USSF National B and C licensed, and is CPR/AED certified.