Adrian Bush has been the head coach of the University of Tampa men’s soccer team for 18 seasons. He played for the Spartans from 1990-94 and took over as head coach in 2005 after his mentor, Tom Fitzgerald, passed away. During his coaching tenure, Bush has achieved a record of 165-108-30 and led the team to nine NCAA tournament appearances in 15 seasons.
In 2022, the team had a successful season with five players receiving All-SSC honors, including Juancho Fernandez, who was named SSC Player of the Year. In 2021, Bush led the Spartans to their 15th SSC Championship and their 26th NCAA Tournament appearance, with two players earning All-American status and Bush being named SSC Coach of the Year.
Bush became the program’s all-time winningest head coach in 2018 and has achieved notable successes, including winning the SSC Tournament Championship in 2017, earning the NSCAA South Region Coach of the Year award in 2016, and reaching the NCAA Quarterfinals.
Throughout his coaching career, Bush has produced several players who have gone on to play professional soccer, including in prestigious tournaments like the UEFA Champions League.
Maurice Loregnard has been the top assistant coach for the University of Tampa men’s soccer program for 22 seasons, with experience dating back to the 2001 national championship team. He was promoted to associate head coach in 2012 and works closely with the head coach on various aspects of the team, including practice, game tactics, scheduling, travel arrangements, and summer camps.
In 2017, Loregnard helped lead the Spartans to the Sunshine State Conference Championship and a national ranking as high as No. 8. He mentored player Felipe DeSousa, who received several accolades, including SSC Offensive Player of the Year.
Loregnard also took on the role of head coach for the Tampa Marauders F.C. in 2012, where he achieved success by winning Gulf Coast Cups and finishing as a runner-up in the Sunshine State Tournament.
He has served as the Boy’s Director of Coaching for Tampa Bay United, overseeing competitive boys’ teams and coaching staff. He also has coaching experience at the University of Tampa, including an interim head coach role in 2003.
Loregnard’s soccer background includes playing for Trinidad and Tobago national football teams and a brief professional career with the Reading Rage. He holds a USSF “A” Coaching License and has been involved in soccer administration and education.
In summary, Maurice Loregnard has a long and distinguished career in coaching and soccer, with extensive experience at the University of Tampa and various other roles in the sport.
Eric Sims, a former Hall of Fame student-athlete at the University of Tampa, is not only the team’s goalkeeping coach but also the head coach at Jesuit High School, his alma mater. He previously served as the head coach for Gaither High School’s soccer team, achieving numerous successes, including district championships, regional playoff appearances, and state final four appearances.
Sims is also the head coach for the HCUnited U15-U19 boy’s team, leading them to state Final Fours and Super Y League championships. He has experience coaching women’s soccer, including at UT and the University of South Florida.
His coaching career began in 1997, primarily focusing on goalkeeping coaching at Jesuit High School, where he contributed to the team’s state championship. He has received various coaching honors, including being a Western Conference Coach of the Year and the FHSAA State Coach of the Year.
As a player, Sims was a four-year starting goalkeeper at UT and a dual-sport star in baseball. He holds several goalkeeping records and achieved success in college baseball as well. He went on to have a professional soccer career with various teams.
Sims holds several coaching licenses, including a USSF A License, a USSF National Goalkeeping License, a USSF National Youth License, and a NSCAA National Goalkeeping Diploma.
He is married to Erin and has two sons, J.P. and Jax.
