MONMOUTH, Ore. – Having put together a successful coaching career as both an assistant coach and head coach, Colin Baker is set to join the Western Oregon University men's soccer program as the new assistant coach as announced by head coach Stan Rodrigues.
"Happy to have Colin Baker join my staff. We have worked together before and he is absolutely the right coach to have to help build this program and establish a sound foundation. The accomplishments he was able to achieve in prior programs stood out and all his references were very positive. His attention to detail and work ethic is truly second to none. That is why I am confident that he will help this program reach the goals we expect to attain," Rodrigues said.
Baker was most recently the head coach of the Adams State University women's soccer program that competes at the NCAA Division II level in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Competing in one of the toughest regions, Baker was able to elevate the Grizzlies over the course of his three seasons in Alamosa. Adams State qualified for the RMAC Tournament for the first time in 16 years in 2021, which was a season that began with wins over St. Edward's for the first-time in program history and conference-rival Western Colorado for the first-time in nine years. The 2019 season was highlighted with an impressive win over No. 10 and regional-powerhouse West Texas A&M. Adams State excelled in the classroom during the 2019-20 campaign posting a program record 3.58 GPA. In three different seasons, Baker coached three different freshmen that finished in the top three in Freshman of the Year voting in the RMAC.
Prior to arriving in Alamosa, Baker was at Carroll College in Montana where he helped compile a 23-14-6 overall record serving as the assistant coach. The team tallied four wins over Top 25 programs, defeated No. 5 Corban for the first time in program history and reached the Cascade Collegiate Conference semifinals in 2018. Again, Baker's teams were strong in the classroom posting 3.46 and 3.53 GPA marks and Carroll College received the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award in 2017-18.
"I am excited to be joining WOU men's soccer and be able to work with one of the best coaches in the country in one of the toughest conferences in the country. It is an honor to be selected to come in and help this program from the ground up. I am grateful for the opportunity that has been given to me from Coach Rodrigues and I can guarantee you I will give everything I have to create a successful environment within this program and within the campus community. I am looking forward in helping mold and grow these young men into the best men they can be on and off the field. I love it here and I love the atmosphere and professionalism that should come within a prestigious NCAA DII institution. We will be successful here and I think we are going to turn a lot of heads in our inaugural season starting in August," Baker said.
Other coaching stops include the University of Providence in Montana where the team finished as the Cascade Collegiate Conference Runner-Up in two seasons. The team tallied eight wins over Top 25 programs and were ranked as high as No. 17 in the nation during his time. The team earned a pair of academic awards for holding 3.38 and 3.43 GPA marks, after inheriting a program that held a 3.13 GPA prior to arrival. Baker began his coaching career at Southwestern College in Kansas helping lead the team to the highest conference finish in program history in 2013 and was the most wins in program history. Southwestern College earned a pair of academic awards carrying 3.21 and 3.31 GPA marks, earning the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award from 2013-15.
Throughout his career, Baker has had the chance to coach 46 all-conference, 125 academic all-conference, five NAIA All-American, and 22 Academic All-American student-athletes.
