Brian Purcell begins his 23rd year as the head coach of the Presbyterian College women's soccer program. Since he has been in charge, Purcell has posted an overall mark of 225-150-17 since the program's inception in 1989. Purcell is an alumnus of PC.

Purcell led the team to the best record in Division I play since joining the Big South Conference, compiling a 5-12-1 mark in 2010. The campaign saw the Blue Hose put together a three-match winning streak in addition to toppling North Florida in double-overtime.

In 2008, Purcell's team recorded its first-ever win over a Big South Conference foe as a conference member, beating Gardner-Webb 2-0 on Oct. 1. The squad then shut out Francis Marion for its third straight shutout. Under Purcell's direction, defender Rachel Lamb garnered first-team all-conference accolades.

Purcell has guided the team through many changes including the jump to Division I in 2007. The Blue Hose finished 6-7-1 that year, beating their future league co-members High Point, Radford and VMI. PC retained the edge when playing at home with a 3-2-1 record at Martin Stadium.

PC left the Division II level with six Southern Atlantic Conference championships and two SAC tournament titles and made five trips to the NCAA Division II tournament (1994, '95, '97, '99, and '03). Purcell's 81 conference wins make him the SAC's all-time leader. He also ranks sixth all-time in Division II with 207 career wins.

Under Purcell's guidance, the Blue Hose had their best year in the history of the program in 1999. The 15-2-1squad spent a week at No. 1 on the NSCAA/adidas rankings and finished eighth in the Coaches Poll. PC captured its sixth SAC title and hosted a first-round match of the Division II national tournament against Belmont Abbey. Purcell was recognized as the NSCAA/adidas Southeast Region Coach of the Year and SAC Coach of the Year for his success with the team.

Purcell is a seven-time SAC Coach of the Year winner and earned National NSCAA Coach of the Year accolades in 1994 after leading the Blue Hose to a 15-3 record.

Before accepting the position as head coach of the women's team, Purcell spent one year as an assistant coach with PC's men's squad. He holds a USSF "B" coaching license and is a member of the USYSA Region III Olympic Development staff. Purcell also serves as co-director of the Presbyterian College soccer camps in the summer.

The Decatur, Ga. native graduated from Presbyterian College in 1987 with a bachelor's degree in Education and Social Studies and earned his master's from the U.S. Sports Academy in 1989. Purcell resides in Clinton with his wife Kim and their two sons Jay (12) and Will (9).